EU Naval Force Operation ATALANTA is
advising shipping to sail at least 150 nm further east of existing traffic
route to avoid the threat of attack from attack from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
(UAV). The MSC Orion was targeted by a UAV southeast of Socotra Island while
transiting the Indian Ocean Northbound to Salalah in Oman.
“This attack confirms that potential attacks
can take place in the Indian Ocean up to 800 nautical miles from the areas
under Houthi control in Yemen,” EU ATALANTA said an alternative route “no less
than 150 nautical miles east of the current traffic routes.” Vessels were also recommended to make
random speed and course alterations and adopt a more restrictive AIS policy.
As the Houthi lengthen the range of
attacks against commercial shipping allied naval forces in the region are
increasingly stretched in response. The
Houthi have also threatened to attack vessels in Eastern Mediterranean Sea
which are calling at Israeli ports, which is seen as credible in terms of
weapons range.