A Liberian-flagged bulk carrier was struck off the coast of southwest Yemen on July 6, 2025, in a multi-pronged assault that marks the first significant Red Sea maritime incident since April, reports Reuters.
The attack, believed to have been carried out by Houthi-linked forces, involved small arms fire, rocket-propelled grenades, sea drones, and missiles. It lasted several hours and inflicted substantial damage on the vessel.
Houthi Attack Leaves Crew Injured, Missing
All 19 crew members aboard were safely evacuated and are en route to Djibouti. Despite the successful rescue, the vessel’s condition remains critical. The engine room and at least two cargo holds have been flooded, and a fire broke out in the forward section. While still afloat, the ship is at serious risk of sinking.
The vessel was transporting iron and fertilisers from China to Turkey. According to the operator, the route was assessed as low-risk and had no connections to Israeli ports or cargo. Nonetheless, the incident underscores the growing unpredictability of Red Sea transits amid ongoing regional tensions.
The attack prompted immediate retaliatory airstrikes by Israel on multiple Houthi-controlled ports and infrastructure targets in Yemen. These developments represent a dangerous escalation in a region already strained by the broader fallout from the Gaza conflict.
Since late 2023, Houthi forces have intermittently targeted international shipping in the Red Sea, claiming to act in solidarity with Palestinians. While attacks had largely subsided for several months, this latest incident indicates a potential resurgence in hostilities, raising serious concerns for maritime security.
The Red Sea is one of the world’s busiest and most vital maritime routes. Renewed threats have already led many commercial vessels to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, significantly increasing transit time and operational costs. International patrols, including EU-led and UK-monitored missions, are maintaining heightened alert to protect shipping and stabilize the corridor.
In the wake of this incident, shipping stakeholders and global security officials are likely to revisit risk assessments and reconsider navigational strategies in the region.
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Source: Reuters
