Transit Corridor (IRTC)

The Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor through the Gulf of Aden, defined by its registration and group-transit mechanics. Established in February 2009 to replace the 2008 Maritime Security Patrol Area, it sets an eastbound and a westbound lane with a buffer between them, between Yemen and Somalia. Ships register with MSCHOA, file a movement report, and time entry to join a national or group transit at a set speed, so units from EUNAVFOR Atalanta and CTF-151 can concentrate protection along the lanes. It lies in the Gulf of Aden, not the open Indian Ocean.