Ships in Red Sea Broadcast Identities to Evade Houthi Attacks

Commercial ships navigating the Red Sea are now broadcasting information about their nationality and religious affiliation on public tracking systems. This is a response to recent deadly attacks by Yemen's Houthi militia. The Red Sea is a vital shipping route for oil and other goods, but traffic has significantly decreased since the Houthi attacks began in late 2023. The group claims these actions are in support of Palestinians in the Gaza war.

The Houthi group sank two ships this week, and their leader has stated that any company transporting goods connected to Israel will not be allowed passage. In an attempt to avoid being targeted, ships are adding messages to their public tracking profiles. These messages include details such as the crew's nationality or religious affiliation, and the presence of armed guards.

Maritime security experts believe these measures reflect a growing desperation to avoid attacks. However, they also suggest that these efforts are unlikely to be effective. Houthi intelligence gathering is considered to be thorough. Vessels attacked by the Houthis this week had previously called at Israeli ports.

Shipping companies are increasing their due diligence regarding any links to Israel before sailing through the Red Sea, but the risk of attack remains high. The Houthis have also targeted vessels trading with Russia. Insurance costs for shipping through the Red Sea have more than doubled since the recent attacks, and some insurers have suspended coverage for certain voyages.

The number of daily sailings through the strait has dropped significantly. This is a stark contrast to the pre-attack levels. The Seafarers’ Charity has emphasized the importance of protecting seafarers, who are essential to global trade.