Why it matters

The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, critical maritime routes, have surged with Houthi-launched attacks against ships, echoing the precarious security issues once dominated by Somali piracy. The intensification of these attacks impacts global shipping and therefore the international economy, creating pressure to find efficient countermeasures for traversal in these high-risk waters.

What it is about

Seeking methodologies to avoid Houthi disruptions in the vital Bab al-Mandab Strait area, best practices honed during the height of Somali piracy offer insights into contemporary maritime security. Some shipping corporations choose long detours circumnavigating Africa to bypass these waters entirely. However, when a direct transit is inevitable, certain proactive measures can be employed to mitigate the risk of hostile encounters.

Pirate-Era Solutions Applied Today

To minimize the likelihood of detection by hostile forces, vessels are recommended to darken windows and the bridge post-dusk, thus reducing light emissions. Physical barriers such as barbed or electrified wire and water cannons established from anti-piracy days deter boardings and waterborne assaults while traversing in a high-threat zone.

Another proven tactic involves hiring armed security details or setting up dummies to impersonate guards, both serving to deter potential marauders. Designated “safe rooms” onboard act as citadels to protect crew when faced with an imminent threat, a practice rooted in the anti-piracy protocols of previous decades.

Escalated Defense Measures Needed

Taking a precedent from Somali piracy’s decline with multi-national naval security and private armed personnel, ships may need even more robust defenses against the situation’s gravity and the evolved capabilities of the Houthi – such as the use of fast crafts and possibly helicopters in attacks, not to mention their reported access to missiles.

The ongoing challenge will be developing adequate defenses without incurring costs and delays greater than rerouting around Africa. Adaptation to the evolving threat means that past measures must be reviewed and enhanced to maintain maritime safety in these waters.

The Bigger Picture

Shipping through the Red Sea continues to be under significant threat from Houthi action, reminding stakeholders of the global trade’s vulnerabilities to regional conflicts. It raises the imperative for collaborative efforts among affected nations, security experts, and international entities to brainstorm and execute protective strategies in response to aggressive tactics on the high seas.

This story was first published on jpost.com.