Coast Guard intercepts oil tanker after it unloaded an unauthorized shipment at a port controlled by Houthi militias.

Yemeni Coast Guard Intercepts Oil Tanker After Unauthorized Offloading

The Yemeni Coast Guard has successfully intercepted an oil tanker flying the Comoros flag after it departed from the Ras Issa port, which is under the control of Houthi militias. The tanker had offloaded its cargo without obtaining prior approval from the Yemeni government.

Details of the Interception

According to an official source from the Coast Guard, the tanker Nereida (IMO number 9163269), which is listed among vessels subject to U.S. sanctions, disabled its Automatic Identification System (AIS) during parts of its journey. The vessel briefly reappeared on radar south of Al Hudaydah after leaving Ras Issa, heading towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The source revealed that the Nereida entered Ras Issa and unloaded its cargo without coordinating with official authorities. Furthermore, it did not follow the procedures established by the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM).

Encounter in the Gulf of Aden

After exiting the Houthi-controlled areas, a Coast Guard patrol intercepted the vessel in the Gulf of Aden. Initially, the tanker did not respond to orders to stop. Armed guards aboard the tanker fired at the Coast Guard vessel before eventually complying with the orders and being escorted to Aden port.

Ongoing Investigations

Authorities have initiated an investigation into the tanker’s journey, cargo, documentation, and the circumstances surrounding its entry into Ras Issa. They are also examining the shutdown of the tracking system, the failure to comply with Coast Guard orders, and the gunfire exchanged during the interception. Additionally, international naval forces operating in the region have been informed about the law enforcement operation.

Context of the Incident

This incident occurs under the sanctions regime imposed by the United Nations Security Council on Houthi militias, as outlined in Resolution 2216 of 2015. This resolution prohibits the supply of arms and related materials to entities and individuals subject to sanctions. In 2022, the Security Council designated the Houthis as a group under an arms embargo.

The resolution also calls on nations to inspect shipments heading to Yemen when there are reasonable grounds to suspect they contain prohibited materials.

This interception highlights the ongoing challenges in enforcing maritime security and the need for compliance with international regulations in the region.

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