FAQs

This implies that the vessel is prohibited from transiting through the area of operations as declared by the Yemeni Armed Forces, which may encompass the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea.

Should the vessel, being subject to the ban, transit through the declared area of operations — namely the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Gulf of Aden, or the Arabian Sea — it will be subject to military targeting.

All vessels that fall outside the scope of the ban can transit safely, and to further emphasize safe transit, they can submit a request for safe transit for vessels via email: clearances@hocc.gov.ye

The Safe Transit Coordination Request for vessels is a free and optional service provided by HOCC to vessels/companies (that fall outside the declared ban) that want to confirm the safe transit of their vessels from the Red Sea, Bab Al Mandeb, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea.

No, absolutely not.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea prohibits the imposition of fees on the passage of vessels. Article 26 of the Convention states: “No charge may be levied upon foreign ships by reason only of their passage through the territorial sea.” The Republic of Yemen continues to adhere to this provision.

The services provided by the HOCC—including the Safe Transit Service for vessels—are, as is well known, entirely free of charge. The Safe Transit Service is a voluntary and cost-free service offered by the HOCC to vessels/companies (falling outside the scope of the declared ban) that wish to confirm the safe transit of their vessels through the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea. All vessels outside the scope of the declared ban may transit safely. Additionally, such vessels may, for added assurance, submit a Safe Transit Request by email to the following address: clearances@hocc.gov.ye  at any time, and a response will be provided within a few hours. Accordingly, all services offered by the HOCC—including Safe Transit Request —are entirely free of charge.

We affirm that the HOCC has no partners or intermediaries within the Republic of Yemen or abroad. The HOCC does not rely on any other Yemeni or foreign entity to provide its free services; rather, it carries them out independently. The HOCC warns against dealing with any party that claims to be affiliated with it.

It may take up to 24 hours from the time the HOCC receives the complete request to reach a decision.

It is preferable to submit the safe transit request immediately upon departure from the port of loading, and no less than two days prior to entering Yemeni territorial waters.

The recommendations that can be provided are:
Both AIS and VHF Channel 16 should always be in operation during transit.

• Write the destination correctly in the AIS system, and the next port of arrival data should be visible according to the UNLOCODE on the AIS system.
• Responding to the calls of the Yemeni armed forces "in case this is done"
• Follow the international shipping route. 
• Avoid transiting near any military vessels and any vessels with their AIS devices turned off.
• Report any suspicious activity observed near the vessel.

When any entity, person, or asset is sanctioned pursuant to the sanctions regulations, it means that such entity, person, or asset has been determined to be involved in hostile activities or in actions that threaten the national security of the Republic of Yemen or that of any Arab or Islamic State. As a result, appropriate sanctions are imposed in accordance with the sanctions regulations, and no entity or person is permitted to engage with them, whether directly or indirectly. Entities or persons dealing with sanctioned parties shall be subject to secondary sanctions.

In accordance with the sanctions regulations, engaging with sanctioned parties exposes those involved to the risk of secondary sanctions, proportionate to the nature and level of the engagement. Please refer to the sanctions regulations (SR-PAYAIS) and (SR-SUZE), available in the Legal Library on the HOCC’s official website. https://en.hocc.gov.ye/LegalLib

Yes. It should be noted that the strength and integrity of the sanctions imposed by the Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) derive not only from its ability to designate and list entities, persons, and assets, but also from its readiness to delist them in accordance with the governing regulations. The ultimate purpose of sanctions is not punishment for its own sake, but rather to bring about positive behavioral change. For more information on delisting from the sanctions lists, please refer to the sanctions regulations available on the HOCC’s official website. Inquiries may also be submitted via email to the following address: delisting@hocc.gov.ye.

The sanctions regulations (SR-PAYAIS) and (SR-SUZE) are available in the Legal Library on the HOCC’s official website. https://en.hocc.gov.ye/LegalLib

Inquiries may also be submitted via email to the following address: delisting@hocc.gov.ye.

It is a notice sent by the HOCC via email upon suspicion of a violation of the sanctions regulations or prohibition decisions issued by the Yemeni Armed Forces. The notice includes a statement indicating the possibility of imposing sanctions on violators should the violation be confirmed. This notice serves as an official prior warning that grants the concerned parties an opportunity to cease the violation and avoid sanctions. This measure forms part of the HOCC’s approach aimed at informing and warning the concerned parties of the risks of violation and granting them an opportunity to rectify matters before sanctions are imposed.