Joint Maritime Information Center and cruise officials in Dubai discuss Red Sea security

As cruise operators assess the evolving security landscape in the Red Sea, the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) is strengthening engagement with industry leaders to enhance situational awareness and coordination.

In February, US Navy Captain Lee Stuart, Director of JMIC, met with cruise industry representatives in Bahrain and Dubai to outline JMIC’s operations and commitment from partner nations within the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) to safeguarding regional maritime security. 

The discussions focused on the growing need for collaboration in response to Houthi threats and broader geopolitical challenges affecting commercial shipping.

JMIC was established under CMF as an information-sharing and coordination hub to address security concerns in the Red Sea. Its expanded mandate now provides a structured approach to maritime security across a wider operational area, including the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the Western Gulf of Aden. 

Stuart, joined by representatives of Combined Task Force (CTF) 153—responsible for security in these critical waterways—briefed cruise line executives, ship masters, and corporate security managers on the current threat landscape and mitigation strategies.

“The Red Sea attacks highlighted the gap in understanding between commercial shipping and navies,” said Stuart. “JMIC aims to bridge that gap and increase cooperation to help keep mariners and passengers safe at sea.”

A key focus of the discussions was the introduction of JMIC’s suite of intelligence products, including incident-specific Information Notes and monthly reports featuring rolling statistical analysis. Additionally, Stuart presented JMIC’s Bridge Emergency Reference Cards, designed to guide bridge crews through best practices before, during, and after security incidents.

“The cruise industry is highly competitive, rapidly growing, sets schedules years ahead and must keep passenger safety as paramount,” he said.

The engagement comes at a critical time, as cruise operators weigh the risks of resuming Red Sea itineraries. The industry, characterised by long-term scheduling commitments and stringent passenger safety standards, faces complex decisions amid the fluid security situation.

“The cruise industry has some difficult decisions to make in response to the region’s complex and dynamic regional security situation,” Stuart said. “JMIC has a vital role to play in giving them reliable information to help their decision-making.”

Since its formation in February 2024, JMIC has transitioned from a temporary response unit to a permanent CMF entity with a broader regional mandate. As the cruise sector continues to evaluate its operational strategies in the Red Sea, JMIC’s role in fostering direct engagement with commercial stakeholders is expected to become increasingly significant.

Cruise lines have long used the Red Sea as a vital waterway linking the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal, but as Houthi attacks on international shipping escaleted in 2022, all major lines were forced to reroute ships around South Africa.

Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises and AIDA Cruises which homeport in Dubai annually have begun offering these cruises as grand repositioning cruises.

However, for many cruise lines transitting between Europe and Asia, the lack of cruise infrastructure on the continent makes passenger journeys unfeasible, forcing them to sail expensive repositioning journeys without passengers.