Where’s my Amazon Prime order?

If your online purchases aren’t arriving fast enough, the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t the only issue disrupting the supply chain according to U.S. Maritime Advisory 2021-007:

Subject: Threats to Commercial Vessels by Iran and its Proxies.
Geographic Area: Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Indian Ocean.

This revised advisory cancels U.S. Maritime Advisory 2021-001.

1. References: U.S. Maritime Alerts 2021-001A, 2021-003A, and 2021-004A.

2. Issue: Multiple maritime threats have been reported in the geographic areas described above, including an explosion onboard the Liberian-flagged containership CSAV TYNDALL while transiting the northern Indian Ocean in July of 2021, an explosion onboard the Liberian-flagged containership LORI while transiting the Arabian Sea in March of 2021 (2021-004A), and an explosion onboard the Bahamas-flagged car carrier HELIOS RAY while transiting the Gulf of Oman in February of 2021 (2021-003A).

Heightened military activity and increased political tensions in this region continue to pose serious threats to commercial vessels. Associated with these threats is a potential for miscalculation or misidentification that could lead to aggressive actions.

Vessels operating in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman may also encounter GPS interference, bridge-to-bridge communications spoofing, and/or other communications jamming with little to no warning. Vessels have also reported bridge-to-bridge communications from unknown entities falsely claiming to be U.S. or coalition warships.

The U.S. government is continually assessing the maritime security situation in the region to safeguard freedom of navigation; ensure the free flow of commerce; and protect U.S. vessels, personnel, and interests.

3. Guidance: The international community, including the United States, continues maritime security operations within this region. Vessels operating in this area are advised to review security measures, ensure AIS is always transmitting (except in extraordinary circumstances, consistent with provisions of the Convention on Safety of Life at Sea), and monitor VHF Channel 16.

To afford best protection in the region, U.S. flagged commercial vessels are also advised to… click here.