A Greek-owned ship is taking on water after being struck by three missiles in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen, maritime security firm Ambrey said on Tuesday.
The Greek-owned bulk carrier, named the Laax and sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, has started listing but is continuing its voyage after being targeted 85km southwest of the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah.
The vessel issued a distress call, saying it had sustained damage to the cargo hold and was taking on water. Greek shipping sources told Reuters the Laax was now heading to the UAE, past the Red Sea.
The Houthi rebels have not yet commented on the attack. The Iran-backed group, which controls much of southern and central Yemen, has been attacking international shipping in the Red Sea since November.
The rebel group has said previously that it is disrupting international shipping in the Red Sea in support of Palestinians, and against Israel’s war in Gaza.
The US and the UK launched waves of air strikes against Houthis positions in Yemen but they seem to have failed to deter the attacks on ships in the Red Sea, one of the world’s most important waterways for trade.
Today (Tuesday, May 28), China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for an end to attacks on civilian ships in the region after he met his Yemeni counterpart Shayea Mohsen Al Zindani in Beijing. Wang explained that China was ready to continue to play a constructive role in the matter, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.
UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said separately today that it had received a report of an incident about 57km southwest of Hodeidah. The vessel was hit by missiles and took damage, reporting an impact in the water in proximity to the ship, UKMTO said. The crew were reported safe and the ship was proceeding to its next port of call.
The majority of attacks launched by the Houthis have failed to sink their targets, with many being repelled by US-led maritime forces stationed in the region. However, the freighter MV Rubymar sunk in March, following a strike by two Houthi-launched missiles the previous month.
The ship’s cargo of fertilizer is thought to have potentially disastrous ecological consequences in the Red Sea, which is home to a delicate aquatic ecosystem.
Another Greek Ship Hit in the Red Sea
Earlier this month, Houthis launched one anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) into the Red Sea and struck M/T Wind, a Panamanian-flagged, Greek-owned and Greek-operated oil tanker.
The impact of the missile strike caused the tanker to flood, resulting in the loss of propulsion and steering. A coalition vessel immediately responded to the distress call by M/T Wind, but no assistance was needed.
The crew of M/T Wind was able to restore propulsion and steering before it resumed its course under its own power. No casualties were reported.