Yemen

Vessels calling at ports that are under the control of the Government of Yemen must continue to apply for entry permissions through the Yemeni Ministry of Transportation using the form: Entry Permission for Commercial and Relief Ships to Yemeni Ports. The form should be completed and sent by email to the Operations Unit of the Supreme Relief Committee at [email protected] no less than a week before the vessel’s entry/arrival.

Entry to Yemeni territorial waters will be granted only following an inspection by the naval forces of Saudi Arabian-led coalition. Once a vessel reaches the outskirts of Bab-el-Mandeb, some 3 n.m. from Yemen’s territorial waters, a notice of arrival must be called in by the Master on VHF Channel 16. The naval forces of the Saudi Arabian-led coalition will then advice where the vessel should anchor pending completion of the inspection and approval of the port entry. Once the vessel is permitted to enter port, the Master must register the vessel’s arrival with the port authorities (on VHF Channel 14 or 16) and will then be assigned an anchoring position until the berthing time is confirmed by the Harbour Master.

Ship operators are requested to add signed and stamped copies of the following documents to their clearance requests:

Security Level 1 has been declared for the ports of Aden and Mukalla. Any changes in security level will be posted on the Yemen Ports Authority (YPA) website www.portofaden.net/

Vessels proceeding to Yemen Red Sea port shall maintain keep their AIS operational throughout the duration of their voyage into and out of Yemeni Territorial waters.

Vessels are also requested to use the standard UN Locode on AIS.

There is a very high threat of kidnap from armed tribes, criminals and terrorists. In 2014, a number of foreign nationals were kidnapped, and groups actively continue to target westerners. In February and March 2014, there were at least three separate kidnap attempts against well-protected westerners.

There is wide-spread foreign government advice against all travel to Yemen. This includes the mainland and all islands.

The security situation in Yemen continues to deteriorate. Due to increased risk, diplomatic staff of foreign embassies may have been withdrawn and the operations of some foreign embassies temporarily suspended. This means that the embassy isn’t able to provide consular assistance. As such, your national government may not be able to evacuate you if you remain in Yemen against their advice.

If you do choose to remain in Yemen you should minimise movement around the country and within cities and towns.

All international flights are currently direct through Aden International Airport. Airlines continue to monitor the situation closely and may delay or cancel flights with little or no notice. Check with your airline before you travel to the airport.

Emergency ambulance services are limited and often have attendants with little to no medical training. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Make sure you have adequate health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation.

If you need emergency medical assistance, dial 191 and ask for an ambulance.

It is important to bring an adequate supply of prescription medications if required. While many prescription drugs are available in Yemen, quality control is uneven, and the particular drug may not be available.

Polio, malaria and dengue fever are common to Yemen.

Throughout the loading operation, military fast patrol boats will be constantly patrolling the area around the export tanker. Upon completion of loading, tankers will be escorted to a safe distance offshore by the military vessels and helicopter.

Reporting of incidents occurring elsewhere: Ships are advised to maintain strict anti-piracy watches and report all piratical pirate attacks (actual and attempted) and suspicious sightings to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

T: +60 (3) 2078 5763. F: + 60 (3) 2078 5769. [email protected]

24 hr. Anti-Piracy help-line T: + 60 (3) 2031 0014.

The Internationally Recognised Transit Corridor (IRTC) Co-ordinates: The corridor includes the creation of a separate eastbound and westbound transit lanes. Each lane is width 5.0 n.m. with 2.0 n.m. buffer zone.

Vessels join at Points A or B at scheduled times and proceed through the transit corridor together.

Masters using the IRTC and those following group transits, are not relieved of their obligation and should continue to maintain a strict 24 hour lookout using all available means to get early warnings of an approaching threat.

Masters are also reminded that all suspicious/actual attacks reported to the coalition warship, should be reported to the 24 hour IMB piracy reporting centre. Vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden are advised to register with the EU. The EU webpage is www.mschoa.org Vessels/Owners are advised to register their details and obtain further information regarding the close support protection/transit corridor for vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden. Vessels would be encouraged to conduct their passage through the IRTC in groups based on their transit speed (Gulf of Aden group transits). Military assets (naval and air) will be strategically deployed within the area to best provide protection and support.

Masters are also advised to maintain a listening watch on VHF Channels 16, 8 and 72. Warships make advisory calls, ″Securite″ broadcasts, to announce their location and in turn will also listen for merchant ships calling them.

Vessels are advised to keep more than 600 n.m. from the coastline and when routeing north/south, keeping east of Long. 60° 00′ E until east of the Seychelles.

In view of the recent attacks, all vessels are advised when proceeding to/from South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya and Somalia to consider routeing south of Lat. 10° 00′ S and east of Long. 060° 00′ E, avoiding the area between the Somali coast and north and west of the Seychelles. Mariners are advised to report any suspicious boats to the European Union Maritime Security Centre. A 24-hour visual and radar watch must be maintained as early sightings/detection and accurate assessment will allow Masters to take evasive action and increase speed, and at the same time request assistance and escape.

Due to the unprecedented number of Somali pirate incidents, the IMB calls for all Masters transiting the Gulf of Aden, southern Red Sea, off Oman, east coast of Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Seychelles and Madagascar to report all sightings of suspected pirate mother ships to the PRC. This vital intelligence will then be used to identify and target the mother ships. This will enable appropriate actions to be taken in response.

On 29 April 2015, Sana'a airport was the target of severe bombardment from the Saudi Arabian air force. The only runway and the passenger terminal building have been severely damaged and are unusable for the foreseeable future.

Since 21 September 2014, alcohol has been routinely confiscated at international airports. You should dress modestly. Don’t drink alcohol in public.

Take care when using cameras anywhere near military or religious sites. Don’t take pictures of people without their consent.

You must get permission from the General Authority for Antiquities before exporting or removing antiques from Yemen. Illegal movement or sale of Yemeni antiques is a serious offence under local law which can carry a custodial sentence. In January 2014, a British national was arrested on suspicion of illegally exporting antiques from Yemen.

Yemen is considered a medium to high threat environment for crime. Common petty or street crime exists in cities, particularly when valuables and cash are left in plain view. Violence against expatriates has risen in recent years in large part due to increased AQAP activity, civil unrest, and current economic conditions. There has also been an increase in reports of carjackings and assassinations, including within the expatriate community. Local police forces are largely unaccountable, and frequently make arrests on the request of influential families and tribes. Yemeni authorities may not inform the relevant foreign embassy when a foreign national is arrested.

The Yemeni government rigidly enforces restrictions on prior travel to Israel, and does not allow persons with passports bearing Israeli visas or entry/exit stamps to enter the country. Likewise, the absence of entry stamps from a country adjacent to Israel, which the traveller has just visited, may cause Yemeni immigration officials to refuse admittance.