The recent attacks on merchant vessels in the vicinity of the Straits of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, culminating in the boarding and detainment of a UK flagged tanker at the end of last week, have prompted the United States (US) Central Command to promote a multinational naval security initiative, Operation Sentinel, to protect freedom of navigation. A news statement on Operation Sentinel from the US Central Command can be accessed
here.
A joint paper issued by BIMCO, the International Chamber of Shipping, Intertanko and the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) is advising vessels in the region to continue to register with the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) when entering the Indian Ocean voluntary reporting area (VRA) and additionally to report prior to navigating through the Straits of Hormuz. This is to assist naval units participating in Operation Sentinel deploy their resources most effectively.
The paper includes details of some other sources of information that may be of assistance for Company Security Officers (CSOs) when planning for a transit in the region. Links to the additional sources of information are set out below for ease of reference.
The joint paper is available
here.
Members should also monitor the output of their flag states on this subject, as some are currently recommending against transit of the Straits of Hormuz.
