We have received the updated information regarding the subject matter from the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre.

1. RED SEA: On 2 January 2024 at 1850 UTC, approximately 33 NM east of Assab, Eritrea, the master of the Malta flagged container ship CMA CGM TAGE reported three explosions within 5 NM of the vessel, near position 12:57N – 043:11E. The Houthi military spokesman said in a televised speech that the group had targeted the container ship after it ignored warnings. He did not say when or where the incident took place. CENTCOM said in a statement late on 2 January 2024 that there were no reports of any damage caused by the two missiles fired by Houthis into the southern Red Sea. The crew are safe and no damage to the vessel has been reported.

2. SOMALIA: On 2 January 2024 in the morning hours, pirates hijacked a fishing dhow in the Gulf of Aden near Quandala.

3. RED SEA: On 31 December 2023 at 0247 UTC, four small boats approached the Singapore-flagged container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU and exchanged gunfire with the armed security team onboard, approximately 60 NM northwest of Hodeida, Yemen (exact location not specified). The attackers, heavily armed with crew-served weapons and small arms, approached to within 20 meters. Helicopters from the USS EISENHOWER and USS GRAVELY responded to the distress call from MAERSK HANGZHOU and in self-defense returned fire sinking three of the four attacking boats and killing the crews. The fourth boat fled the area. The vessel and crew were reported safe from the attack. There was no damage to U.S. personnel or equipment.

4. RED SEA: On 30 December 2023 at 2017 UTC, two possible unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) fired on an underway vessel 48 NM southwest of Hodeida, Yemen, near position 14:21N – 042:15E. The UAVs were not detected by the vessel’s radar, were flying at low altitude, and were identified visually prior to rounds being fired approximately 3 NM from the vessel’s location. The vessel was not hit by any rounds and continued its voyage.

5. RED SEA: On 30 December 2023 at 1655 UTC, a missile struck the underway Singapore-flagged container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU approximately 55 NM southwest of Hodeida, Yemen (exact position not specified). Maersk confirmed the crew were safe and that the vessel was fully maneuverable and able to clear the area at full speed. The container ship was en route to Port Suez, Egypt, from Singapore. While responding to the missile attack on MAERSK HANGZHOU at 1730 UTC on 30 December 2023, USS GRAVELY shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired into the southern Red Sea from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.

6. SOMALIA: On 30 December 2023 at 1058 UTC, the fishing dhow AL SAQAR was hijacked near Hafun, off the northeastern coast of Somalia (exact position not specified). Later reporting stated that the dhow was headed southward and spotted near Afbarwaaqo, an anchorage between Eyl and Hobyo.