In light of ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas, the Houthis in Yemen have ramped up their attacks on commercial shipping, particularly vessels associated with Israel, the U.S., or the UK. In 2024 alone, 81 confirmed maritime attacks occurred, predominantly targeting Israeli-affiliated ships. As of January 2025, the Houthis declared a suspension of attacks on non-Israeli vessels, yet Israeli-owned ships remained at risk. By May 2025, the Houthis threatened to target any entities violating a maritime navigation ban imposed on the Port of Haifa, indicating an expansion of their engagement criteria.
In July 2025, the Houthis renewed their attacks, claiming that all Israeli port calls would be considered a violation, thereby broadening the scope of potential targets to any vessel interacting with Israeli ports. Their targeting criteria have become more extensive, encompassing various ownership and operational affiliations to Israel, along with historical port calls since October 2023, which could signal to the Houthis a connection to Israel.
Amid these escalating risks, Vanguard has provided a risk assessment detailing measures for maritime operators. Notably, there have been no recorded Houthi attacks on vessels in the Northern Red Sea or near Suez ports, and this is expected to continue. Operators are advised to implement protective security measures at their discretion, with an emphasis on maintaining their Automatic Identification System (AIS) active to avoid misidentification by hostile entities; turning off AIS may increase vulnerability rather than mitigate it.
The advisory stresses heightened vigilance when navigating high-risk areas, especially in light of potential aerial attacks and maritime threats ranging from small arms fire to improvised explosive devices. Night-time transits may reduce the risk of boarding, but not missile attacks. Crew training for such scenarios, including safe muster point identification within the ship’s superstructure, is crucial.
Operators are also encouraged to familiarize themselves with best practices in maritime security and maintain communications with maritime operational centers. Regular updates on risks and adherence to guidelines set by organizations like the Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC) are recommended for enhancing safety.
The guidance includes conducting audits of vessel port calls and affiliations with Israel, reinforcing cybersecurity protocols to safeguard sensitive routing information, and being aware of the risks associated with GPS disruption and AIS vulnerability. Crew members should be briefed on protocols for boarding incidents and the importance of thorough stowaway checks before departures.
Overall, while the maritime landscape continues to pose significant risks amid geopolitical tensions, implementing advised measures and maintaining situational awareness can enhance navigation safety within these volatile areas.
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