Vessel Attacked in Red Sea off Yemen Coast, U.S. Attributes Blame to Houthis
On Monday, Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for attacking two commercial ships in the Red Sea using naval drones. The Iran-backed group stated that the attacks were a response to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Sarea identified the targeted vessels as the MSC Clara and the Norwegian-owned Swan Atlantic. According to Sarea, the attacks were executed after the crews of the ships failed to respond to calls from the Houthi group. The incident adds to a series of heightened tensions and conflicts in the region.
The Swan Atlantic’s owner reported that the ship was struck by an unidentified object, but none of the crew members were injured. The MSC Clara, a Panama-flagged vessel, was also targeted, but specific details about the attack on this ship are not immediately available.
The Houthi movement claims responsibility for these attacks, stating that they are targeting vessels in the Red Sea with connections to Israel in protest of Israel’s military offensive against Hamas in Gaza. They have issued warnings against sailing in the area.
The recent attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea by the Houthi movement have raised concerns about their impact on the passage of crucial commodities such as oil, grain, and other goods along this vital global trade route. These incidents have led to an increase in the cost of insuring and shipping goods through the Red Sea.
Following the latest attacks, London’s insurance market expanded the area in the Red Sea categorized as high risk. In response to the heightened tensions, Taiwan’s Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation announced that it would redirect its ships away from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, opting to sail via the Cape of Good Hope for the next two weeks. This strategic move reflects the maritime industry’s efforts to navigate security challenges and ensure the safe passage of vessels and cargo in the region.
Norway-based oil tanker group Frontline has announced that its vessels will begin avoiding passages through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. This decision is likely a response to the recent attacks on commercial ships in the region by the Houthi movement, which have heightened security concerns and increased the risk associated with navigating through these waters.
By redirecting its vessels away from these areas, Frontline aims to ensure the safety and security of its fleet amid the prevailing tensions in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
“War risk insurance premiums are on the rise naturally, but as vessels get re-routed around Africa shipping supply will be tighter as cargoes travel longer. That would put rates under a strong upward pressure,” CEO Lars Barstad.
In reaction to the attacks by Houthi forces, who control most of the impoverished Arab state of Yemen, two significant freight companies, notably MSC, the largest container shipping line in the world, decided to forego using the Suez Canal. These choices were made before the announcement.
A significant canal for international trade, the Suez Canal shipping route connects Europe and Asia and is used to transfer petroleum and other goods. It also links to the Red Sea. The path avoids having to navigate across the whole continent of Africa, saving both money and time.
IN-BOARD FIRE
Multiple rounds had been thrown from Houthi-controlled land in Yemen, according to U.S. sources who confirmed the attack on the Swan Atlantic on Monday to Reuters.
According to Oystein Elgan, chief executive of owner Inventor Chemical Tankers, all of the ship’s systems were functioning normally despite the attack having destroyed the water tank.
According to Elgan, the inventor of Chemical Tankers had no connections to Israel.
According to Uni-Tankers, the ship’s operator, the attack resulted in a little fire that was extinguished by the crew. The ship proceeded towards Reunion Island with vegetable oils on board.
24 nautical miles northwest of Yemen’s Mokha port, a ship “experienced an explosion” on its port side, according to a report received by a British maritime authority.
There was an alert, but the ship and crew were reported safe. Comparable to the Swan Atlantic attack was the incident that the UKMTO advice highlighted.
An armed boat was reportedly approaching a vessel 24 nautical miles southeast of Mokha, according to a separate notice from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) authority.
The report stated that after hearing warning shots from the ship, the armed craft altered its path.
The UKMTO authority stated in additional advisories that it had been notified of two incidents: one near the Bab Al Mandab strait, which is 30 nautical miles south of the port of Mokha, and the other 63 nautical miles northwest of Djibouti.
Despite their vow to keep attacking until Israel ends its campaign, the Houthis stated on Saturday that “reducing the escalation” would require significant action to alleviate the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. They said they were in talks about its maritime “operations” mediated by Oman.
It was the first sign that the militia group might be open to a de-escalation. In reaction to the Hamas rampage in southern Israel on October 7, the U.S. has stated that it is seeking an enlarged coalition to defend ships in the Red Sea and to send a message to the Houthis, who have also fired drones and missiles toward Israel since Israel launched its campaign in Gaza.
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