The EU says its EUNAVFOR Aspides mission needs more than 10 warships as member states are asked to provide additional naval and air assets for Red Sea shipping security.
China has added communications facilities at its Djibouti military base near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, with CSIS identifying new antennas, satellite communications and 5G equipment.
IMO has verified 80 attacks on international shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz since 28 February, with at least 22 seafarers killed and many others injured.
Saudi Arabia-flagged VLCC Amzan was struck west of Yanbu on 24 August as Houthi attacks continued in the northern Red Sea, affecting crude export movements.
UKMTO reported that a tanker was hit by a projectile 63 nautical miles west of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. A fire developed on the main deck, while everyone aboard was confirmed safe.
An unidentified unmanned cargo ship has been declared a total loss after multiple projectile strikes in the southern Red Sea, about 40 nautical miles southeast of Al Mokha, Yemen.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has condemned the fatal attack on cargo ship TIHAMAH off Al Mokha, Yemen, after several seafarers were confirmed dead.
London marine insurers have widened the Red Sea high-risk zone after Houthi attacks on Saudi-linked vessels, with war risk premiums rising for ships serving Saudi ports and regional routes.
The IMO opened its 137th Council session in London with maritime security, Strait of Hormuz risks and renewed piracy concerns in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden high on the agenda.
