Cargo ship abandoned in Gulf of Aden after Houthi Attack

Authorities have reported that the crew of a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden had to leave their vessel following an attack claimed by Yemen’s Houthis.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency confirmed that the Belize-flagged, British-registered cargo ship Rubymar was abandoned off the coast of Yemen after being damaged in an explosion. The ship’s master reported damage caused by an explosion as it was headed towards the Red Sea.

UKMTO WARNING INCIDENT 033 19 FEB 24

ATTACK UPDATE 001https://t.co/zHGNgQp1UB#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/8wvhq9MWk5

— United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) February 19, 2024

The BBC quoted shipping data firm Lloyd’s List Intelligence, to confirm reports of the Rubymar being struck by two missiles.

The crew abandoned the ship early on Monday after initially seeking assistance from Djibouti authorities. It was then evacuated by another merchant vessel, consistent with the movements of a Singaporean-flagged container ship after being hit in the Bab al-Mandab Strait on Sunday, reported the BBC.

The Rubymar, severely damaged by the attack, is at risk of sinking, added the report.

MARITIME SECURITY 🚨 ⚓️

Missile Attack – Bab el Mandeb

Crew have abandoned vessel.

Belize-flagged MV RUBYMAR was struck likely with an Anti-Ship Ballisitc Missile while transiting northbound through the Bab el Mandeb en route to #Bulgaria after departing Khorfakkan in the #UAE pic.twitter.com/TdfijVzmJz

— EOS Risk Group (@EosRisk) February 19, 2024

Red Sea tensions

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it was in support of Palestinians amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The Houthis have carried out numerous attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in recent months. These incidents have led many shipping companies to avoid the area, impacting global trade.

Read: Retailers demand more action from EU to resolve Red Sea crisis

US and British forces have responded with airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. The US Central Command reported striking mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, an unmanned underwater vessel, and an unmanned surface vessel to protect Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region on Saturday.

In a separate incident, a Panamanian-flagged tanker was hit by a missile in the Red Sea. The vessel sustained minor damage, and the crew is reported safe. The tanker, M/T Pollux, was traveling from Russia to India and was due to discharge its cargo in Paradip. Representatives of the ship’s owner and manager have not yet commented on the incident.

The Red Sea is a crucial navigation route for ships travelling from the region as well as East Asia towards Europe. Upto 12 per cent of the world’s ships traverse through the area during peace times.

The tensions in the region followed by the attacks by Houthis have seen ships avoid the route and take the longer one around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope.

Read: Red Sea tensions to drive ocean freight shipping rates up by 243%

Read: How could Red Sea tensions affect oil and gas shipping?