MEMBER ALERT Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc., Manager One Battery Park Plaza 31 st Fl., New York, NY 10004 USA Tel: +1 212 847 4500 Fax: +1 212 847 4599 https://www.american-club.com American Club Member Alert – December 22, 2023 1 DECEMBER 22, 2023 MARITIME SECURITY SITUATION IN RED SEA AND INDIAN OCEAN AREA Amidst numerous reported maritime security incidents and threats to merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, Members are reminded to take enhanced precautions if transiting through these areas. Members should reference Ambrey’s Interactive Threat Insights hub that provide insightful overviews and in-depth analysis briefs on global maritime incidents, as well as indicators of geo-political issues that threaten to affect the maritime space. Vessels with an Israeli affiliation or destination are additionally recommended to review the Ambrey Threat Circular—27/11/2023 and Ambrey Threat Circular—06/12/2023 which outline specific mitigation measures for Company Security Officers (CSOs). Shipowners are also encouraged to inform military organisations in the region of their vessels’ movements as this is essential to improve military situational awareness and their ability to respond. Vessels are recommended to exercise caution and increased vigilance in the risk area and implement security precautions as suggested by their flag State and Best Management Practices 5 (BMP5). United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations ( UKMTO) Voluntary Reporting Any suspicious activity or objects should be reported immediately to both their flag State and the UKMTO at +44 239 222 2060. The UKMTO acts as the primary point of contact for merchant ships and their CSOs. The UKMTO administers the Voluntary Reporting Scheme, under which merchant ships are encouraged to send a report prior to entering the high-risk area (HRA) as outlined in Maritime Security Chart Q6099 and subsequent regular reports or position and any irregular activity if applicable. UKMTO is able to communicate with ships and CSOs directly, in order to disseminate warnings and advisories of incidents within the region. International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) and Coalition Task Force (CTF) Sentinel The IMSC and CTF provide overwatch and reassurance through coalition naval forces maritime awareness calls to merchant vessels as they transit the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. It is recommend that vessels download and print IMSC’s April 2023 Bridge Reference Cards available in English and Arabic. European-led Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASOH) EMASOH aims to provide enhanced surveillance capabilities in the area in order to establish maritime situational awareness. Supported by nine European countries, the mission is to "concretely provide Maritime Situation Awareness and Surveillance" in the Gulf and Arabian MEMBER ALERT Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc., Manager One Battery Park Plaza 31 st Fl., New York, NY 10004 USA Tel: +1 212 847 4500 Fax: +1 212 847 4599 https://www.american-club.com American Club Member Alert – December 22, 2023 2 Sea. All ships entering the EMASOH Voluntary Reporting Area are invited to provide their vessel specific detailed information 48 hours prior to entering the area or as soon as possible and report suspicious behaviour or unusual events by clicking here . Recommendations for Company Security Officers (CSOs) • Undertake a new ship- and voyage-specific threat risk assessment before entering any region where there has been an