Red Sea Passage: Some Shipowners Turn to Houthi Contact Centre
Shipowners are taking extra steps to reduce risks for vessels passing through the Red Sea. Some now ask their masters to contact a Houthi-controlled centre before entering the area. The move follows new restrictions affecting ships calling at Saudi ports, The Maritime Telegraph reports.
The centre, known as HOCC, was created by the Houthis in 2024. It handles messages from ships and reportedly provides a response within 24 hours.
A recent case involved a Chinese container ship. Its master provided details about the vessel's ownership, management and crew, confirming there were no links to the US, UK or Israel. The centre then confirmed that the ship could continue through the Red Sea and nearby waters.
As part of the instructions, the crew had to keep AIS and VHF Channel 16 active, stay on normal shipping routes and report suspicious activity. The ship was also told to keep away from military vessels and ships with their AIS switched off.
However, contacting the centre is not an official requirement. International maritime authorities advise against such contact, pointing out that the HOCC has no legal authority to approve or control commercial vessel movements.
