ATALANTA MARITIME SECURITY OFF YEMEN COAST THREAT UPDATE 16 JANUARY 2024

The ATALANTA Threat Update is issued to keep the maritime industry informed about recent events in the South Red
Sea (SRS) and West Gulf of Aden (GOA). It includes updates on the situation, assessments and recommendations.
For reporting mistakes or updates, please contact jocwatchkeeper@mschoa.org or call
Tel: +34 956 470 534, Mob: +34661442365.
1/Maritime Security Events

DATE NAME OF VESSEL MMSI FLAG POSITION TYPE OF ATTACK

19-nov-23 GALAXY LEADER 311408000 BAHAMAS 145000N 0415500E HIJACKED

22-nov-23 ALMERAJ1 422170620 IRAN PUNTLAND ARMED ROBERY / HIJACKED
26-nov-23 CENTRAL PARK 636016933 LIBERIA 1417N 04205E PIRATE ATTACK
27-nov-23 MSC AMBRA 352269000 PANAMA 144500N 0414800E DRONE INCIDENT
29-nov-23 AL ASHKAAN 422342018 IRAN PUNTLAND HIJACKED
03-déc-23 NUMBER 9 373044000 PANAMA 152100N 0414100E THREATENING ON CH 16
03-déc-23 AOM SOPHIE II 374462000 PANAMA 13,9667N 042,3E MISSILE FIRE EXPERIENCE
03-déc-23 UNITY EXPLORER 311000552 BAHAMAS 13 25,66N 042 40,57E MISSILE/DRONE
06-déc-23 DIANELLA 636020822 LIBERIA 14 25,32N 042 12,01E DRONE SIGHTING
09-déc-23 M/T PANTA REI 352003147 PANAMA 15 01,26N 041 55,91E THREATENING ON CH 16
M/V CENTAURUS 14 49,2N 041 46,9E DRONE ATTACK - MISSED
10-déc-23 565503000 SINGAPORE
LEADER 14 52,0N 041 45,9E DRONE ATTACK - MISSED
11-déc-23 STRINDA 259096000 NORWAY 13 17,5N 042 59,47E DRONE/MISSILE ATTACK
11-déc-23 ICARIUS 538007770 MARSHALL IS. 13 22,44N 042 44,9E DRONES SIGHTING
13-déc-23 ARDMORE ENCOUNTER 538005093 MARSHALL IS. 1447N 04158E ATTEMPTED BOARDING
POSSIBLE MISSILE ATTACK -
14-déc-23 MAERSK GIBRALTAR 477636200 HONG KONG
13 28.8N, 042 35.80E MISSED
14-déc-23 MV RUEN 249517000 MALTA 1203N 06126E HIJACKED - PIRATES
15-déc-23 MSC ALANYA 636021123 LIBERIA IVO BAB EL MANDEB THREATENING ON CH 16
15-déc-23 AL JASRAH 636093137 LIBERIA 1407N 04216E POSSIBLE MISSILE ATTACK
EXPLOSION ONBOARD
15-déc-23 MSC PALATIUM III 636018562 LIBERIA 1308N 04253E POSSIBLE HOUTHI RELATED
ATTACK
18-déc-23 MSC CLARA 374766000 PANAMA 12 48,67N 043 09,76E EXPLOSION NEAR VESSEL

18-déc-23 MAGIC VELA 538009445 MARSHALL IS. 13 09,6N 043 03,7E ATTEMPTED BOARDING

18-déc-23 GREEN TRADER 538006444 MARSHALL IS. 12 16,58N 043 56,41E SUSPICIOUS APPROACH
18-déc-23 SWAN ATLANTIC 319113500 CAYMAN IS. 1319N 04247E MISSILE/DRONE ATTACK
23-déc-23 MT BLAAMANEN 258012000 NORWAY 1440.1N - 04153E MISSILE/DRONE ATTACK
25-déc-23 MV MARIONA 677085700 TANZANIA 15°23.9 N 041°46.6 E THREATENING ON CH 16
50NM WEST OF
NAVIG8 MONTIEL 636022835 DRONE ATTACK - MISSED
25-déc-23 LIBERIA HODEYDAH
60NM SE OF
MSC UNITED VIII 636012807 LIBERIA DRONE ATTACK - MISSED
25-déc-23 HODEYDAH
60NM NW OF
MAERSK HANGZHOU 563042200 SINGAPORE SHOTS FROM SMALL BOATS
31-déc-23 HODEYDAH
02-jan-24 CMA/CJM TAGE 229988000 MALTA 33NM EAST OF ASSAB 3 EXPLOSIONS OBSERVED
USV WITH EXPLOSIVES
- - - RED SEA
04-jan-24 LAUNCHED BY HOUTHIS
SUSPICIOUS APPROACH
RONG LIN WAN 563026200 SINGAPORE 50NM SOUTH MOCHA
06-jan-24 INCLUDING USV
06-jan-24 - - - RED SEA UAV SHOT DOWN

16JAN2024 ATALANTA JOC

 UAS LAUNCHED BY HOUTHIS.
09-jan-24 CARAVOS HARMONY 538004825 MARSHALL IS. SOUTHERN RED SEA
SHOT DOWN BY WARSHIPS
3 SUSPICIOUS SMALL VESSELS
09-jan-24 FEDERAL MASAMUNNE 563138700 SINGAPORE SOUTHERN RED SEA
FIRED MISSILES
GOA – 90nm south A MISSILES LAUNCHED
12-jan-24 KHALISSA 9388780 352003056
East od Aden MISSED M/V BY 500 mts
14-jan-24 ORCHID RISING 9284893 352892000 BAB AL MANDAB ST. SUSPICIOUS APPROACH
15-jan-24 GIBRALTAR EAGLE 9702508 538006171 1223N - 04644E HIT BY MISSILE
1341N 04235E SUSPICIOUS APPROACH
16-jan-24 ZOGRAFIA 9296212 538009966
1616N 04104E HIT BY MISSILE
16-jan-24 PANDA 9296212 538009966 1316N 04301E SUSPICIOUS APPROACH

16JAN2024 ATALANTA JOC

2/Attack chart

16JAN2024 ATALANTA JOC

3/Last cases

On the 14th at 12.15 UTC M/V ORCHID RISING, 23nm North West of Assab (Eritrea) reported two small boats
approached and hailed the vessel attempting to get them to change course. The vessel maintained course post
reassurance from coalition warship. No casualties and no damage were reported.

Afternoon of the 15th Jan at 13.00 UTC M/V GIBRALTAR EAGLE was hit from port side by a missile. After the incident
the vessel re-routing in order to exit from the HRA. No casualties reported. Damages under evaluation.

On the 16th at 11.00 UTC M/V PANDA reported a suspicious approach of 4 skiffs about 400 mts distance. Armed guard
give some warning shots in the water then skiffs aborted their suspicious intention. Vessel continued voyage without
consequences.

Same day M/V ZOGRAFIA reported two different events: At 03.00 UTC a suspicious approach of a skiff and at 11.00
UTC same ship was hit by a missile about 100nm Northwest of Saleef (Yemen). Event under investigation.

4/Assessment

Most probable scenario

The Houthis are expected to persist in targeting ships linked to Israel's interests along the Yemen coast, particularly
in the southern Red Sea and the western part of the Gulf of Aden. "Israel interest" encompasses the ship's flag,
owner, operator, and cargo. While errors cannot be ruled out, it appears that the Houtis may be exploiting outdated
information in some instances.

The assaults will likely consist primarily of drones and missiles. An attack sequence may start with a VHF
communication, instructing the vessel to change its course toward a Houthi-controlled harbor. Noncompliance could
lead to a kinetic assault. Direct boarding attempts, as seen in various instances, might not recur due to the forceful
U.S. kinetic retaliation to the Maersk Hangzhou boarding attempt.
Drone attacks are prevalent along the main navigation route off the west coast of Yemen, with a higher frequency
on Sundays and Mondays based on current known cases. On Tuesday have been registered very few cases.

Latest events with the US and British attacks in Yemen could trigger further vengeful actions by the Houthis.

Recommendations
The following recommendations are based on the current situation and may not guarantee success. These
suggestions will be updated as necessary.

For Israeli-related ships sailing off the Yemen coast in the Red Sea and West GOA :
o Taking into account the risk balance between Safety and Security, consider minimizing information in the
AIS data fields.
o Prefer night transit in the South Red Sea to avoid identification by skiffs or other supporting assets.

For all ships sailing off Yemen coasts:

o Choose routes far from the Yemeni coast (particularly avoiding the traffic separation scheme east of the
Hanish Islands) and make a wide detour around the southern islands of the Red Sea.
o Only essential crew should remain on the navigation deck.
o Crewmembers should stay as far away as possible from the outside walls of the ship.
o Conduct a fire drill before reaching the Yemen coasts to check safety equipment.
o Register with MSCHOA (Maritime Security Centre - Horn of Africa).

US CENTCOM recommends that U.S. flag and U.S. owned commercial vessels remain North of 18N in the Red Sea
or East of 46E in the Gulf of Aden until further notice (ref. US Maritime Alert 2024-001B).

16JAN2024 ATALANTA JOC