UKMTO reporting indicates that an M/V has reported a close approach by an unknown craft 30nm west of port Saleef.

Vessel and crew are safe and continue on their passage.

Dryad Comment:

The latest report occurred 30nm NW the boarding and subsequent detention of the UAE flagged MV RWABEE 20nm West Ras Isa Terminal on the 2^nd January 22. Whilst details remain unclear it is highly likely that Houthi forces are operating throughout the area at a heightened state of alert following what a Houthi spokesperson described as the detention of a “…military cargo ship with military equipment on board, that entered Yemeni waters without any license and engaged in hostilities targeting the security and stability of the Yemeni people…” 

Vessels are reminded that due to the ongoing conflict in Yemen and subsequent contested maritime space offshore Saleef and Hudaydah and the potential for incident, transits through the lower Red Sea are recommended to be conducted West of the Hanish and Zubair Islands.

Cargo RWABEE is currently located at RSEA – Red Sea at position 15° 14′ 43.9″ N, 042° 11′ 28.9″ E as reported by MarineTraffic Terrestrial Automatic Identification System on 2022-01-02 20:36 UTC (4 days, 11 hours ago)

The vessel departed from AL JUBAIL, SA on 2021-11-03 19:58 LT (UTC +3) and is currently sailing at 8.1 knots with Northwest direction heading to JIZAN, SA with reported Estimated Time of Arrival at 2022-01-04 13:00 LT (UTC +3) local time (2 days, 22 hours ago)

Her length overall (LOA) is 68 meters and her width is 16 meters.