UK warns of Gulf of Aden skiffs

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said on May 23 it had received reports from various sources of suspicious activity within the Gulf of Aden, the latest warning for ships using the approach to the Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint. UKMTO said multiple vessels had been approached by skiffs and that one large skiff with two outboard engines had been seen carrying ladders and weapons. The agency told vessels to transit with caution and report suspicious activity while authorities investigate. UKMTO’s incident log also shows a separate May 21 report in which a tanker about 98 nautical miles north of Socotra was approached by a small craft carrying five people before an armed security team fired warning shots. ### What exactly did the British warning say? UKMTO said on May 23 that “there have been multiple reports of vessels being approached by skiffs” in the Gulf of Aden. The agency added that a large skiff with two outboard engines was observed carrying ladders and weapons, according to the alert carried by Reuters and other outlets. It did not identify the vessels involved or assign responsibility. (ukmto.org) The UKMTO recent-incidents page lists the May 21 case north of Socotra as suspicious activity rather than an attack. In that case, the chief security officer of a tanker confirmed that a small craft approached the vessel, and the ship’s armed security team fired warning shots, forcing the craft to alter course, UKMTO said. ### Why does the Gulf of Aden matter to shippers? The Gulf of Aden sits on the eastern side of the Bab al-Mandeb, the narrow waterway linking the Red Sea to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. (english.alarabiya.net) Traffic using the Suez Canal and Red Sea corridor passes through that route, making security incidents there important for container lines, tanker operators and insurers. (ukmto.org) The U.S. Maritime Administration said in a 2025 advisory that commercial vessels in the southern Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb Strait and western Gulf of Aden faced continuing risks from hostile actors, including attacks, small boats and attempts to divert ships from course. That advisory was issued in the context of Houthi attacks on commercial shipping and remains part of the operating backdrop for merchant vessels in the area. (maritime.dot.gov) ### What did Saudi Arabia do this week? Saudi Ports Authority Mawani launched a new cargo shipping service on May 21 linking Jeddah Islamic Port with Salalah in Oman and the Port of Djibouti. Reuters, citing Saudi state TV, said the service has capacity of 1,730 standard containers and is intended to strengthen maritime connectivity between the kingdom and global ports. (maritime.dot.gov) Gulf News and other regional outlets said the route forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader logistics push under Vision 2030. Mawani said the service was added at Jeddah Islamic Port to support import and export activity and improve links with regional and international ports. ### Are ship operators changing routes or adding backup options? (english.alarabiya.net) Shipping companies have already been adjusting voyages around Red Sea and Gulf risks for months, with some vessels rerouted around southern Africa and others relying on armed guards, naval coordination and tighter reporting procedures. The new Jeddah-Salalah-Djibouti service does not bypass the Red Sea entirely, but it adds another scheduled regional connection at a time when governments and port operators are emphasizing resilience and continuity. (gulfnews.com) That is an inference from the timing and official descriptions of the service. UKMTO said vessels should continue to report suspicious activity while authorities investigate the latest skiff sightings. Mawani said the new service is now operating through Jeddah Islamic Port, Salalah and Djibouti, with the 1,730-TEU connection listed as part of its current shipping network. (ukmto.org)