26 Aug 2025 / Southern Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandeb & Gulf of Aden, Yemen

Security advisory urges non-compliance with HOCC demands

The Yemeni Maritime Affairs Authority in Aden is urging vessels not to comply with Houthi militia demands to submit a Safe Transit Coordination Request via the Humanitarian Operation Coordination Center (HOCC).

These demands include 48-hour pre-notification, Automatic Identification System (AIS) transmissions, port declarations and responding to ‘Yemeni Armed Forces’.

The HOCC is not internationally recognised, and contact may create sanction, legal, and security risks.

Recommended actions include:

  • Do not engage with the HOCC.
  • Register voyages with the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO).
  • Follow Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy and Enhance Maritime Security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea (BMP5) measures, including enhanced watchkeeping, hardening and citadel drills.
  • Transit via the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC), maintain high speed, and avoid unnecessary communications.
  • Ensure compliance with flag state and P&I guidance.

For information about operations in Yemen, contact GAC Yemen at [email protected]

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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