Crew members abandoned a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier in the Red Sea after the vessel was struck by grenades and drone boats southwest of Hodeidah, reported Al Jazeera News.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the Magic Seas was targeted by multiple small boats that opened fire with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades on Sunday, 94km off Yemen coast. The ship was set ablaze and began taking on water.
All crew aboard were rescued by a passing merchant vessel and are safe, UKMTO confirmed. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the assault.
British security firm Ambrey reported separately that four unmanned surface vehicles also struck the vessel. Two impacted the port side, damaging the ship� cargo. Ambrey said the attack was consistent with the Houthis�past targeting patterns.
The Houthi movement, which controls most of Yemen, has conducted more than 100 maritime attacks since October 2023 in what it describes as support for Palestinians during Israel� offensive in Gaza. The group paused attacks in January following a ceasefire, but resumed hostilities after US air strikes in March.
Though a new ceasefire in May has largely held, the Houthis claimed a fresh missile launch towards Israel on the same day as the sea attack. Israel responded with threats of air strikes on Houthi-held ports, including Hodeidah and Ras Isa.
Shipping traffic through the Red Sea has been recovering, but the latest incident raises the risk of renewed military escalation in a region already strained by stalled ceasefire talks in Gaza and rising tensions between Iran and the West.
British security firm Ambrey reported separately that four unmanned surface vehicles also struck the vessel. Two impacted the port side, damaging the ship� cargo. Ambrey said the attack was consistent with the Houthis�past targeting patterns.
The Houthi movement, which controls most of Yemen, has conducted more than 100 maritime attacks since October 2023 in what it describes as support for Palestinians during Israel� offensive in Gaza. The group paused attacks in January following a ceasefire, but resumed hostilities after US air strikes in March.
Though a new ceasefire in May has largely held, the Houthis claimed a fresh missile launch towards Israel on the same day as the sea attack. Israel responded with threats of air strikes on Houthi-held ports, including Hodeidah and Ras Isa.
Shipping traffic through the Red Sea has been recovering, but the latest incident raises the risk of renewed military escalation in a region already strained by stalled ceasefire talks in Gaza and rising tensions between Iran and the West.
https://www.shippingazette.com/news?news_id=9250800000446
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