Gunshots ring out in the Red Sea for the first time in more than a week

The Houthis remain a menace to merchant shipping in the Middle East.

After eight consecutive days of no reported incidents, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency carried news on April 1 of an incident in the southern Red Sea.

The master of a vessel reported being hailed on the radio by an entity claiming to be the Yemeni Navy demanding that they turn on AIS, a well-known method of Houthi engagement with passing ships. A crewmember then reported having heard suspected gunshots.

The disruption brought about by the Houthis’ campaign to target more than 70 merchant ships over the past five months has seen traffic slump by more than two-thirds in the Red Sea, but for vessels heading to the region armed guards have become necessary.

Amid a tight supply and demand situation, prices for private maritime security guards onboard have shot up dramatically this year, rekindling the era of Somalian piracy more than a decade ago.

The demand for extra security has also been bolstered by the sudden return of Somalian pirates who have started targeting ships and crews for hijack and ransoms.

Another nine Somali pirates were arrested by the Indian Navy on March 29, having abducted an Iranian dhow.

Source: Splash247

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