Barran Press
The Red Sea continues to be a dangerous zone for shipping, with a recent incident forcing a crew to abandon their vessel after a breach caused flooding.
On Sunday, June 23rd, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that the crew of a ship 96 nautical miles southeast of Nishtun, Yemen, had to abandon their vessel due to uncontrollable flooding. A rescue vessel successfully evacuated the crew, while the abandoned ship remains afloat.
The UKMTO had previously reported receiving a distress call from the ship and was investigating the incident. No further details were provided regarding the cause of the flooding or potential responsibility.
This incident comes on the heels of a separate attack on a commercial ship 65 nautical miles west of the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah. The UKMTO reported that the ship's captain reported being struck by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), causing damage to the vessel.
These incidents highlight the escalating tensions in the Red Sea, fueled by Houthi attacks on commercial shipping.
Just last week, the Greek-owned coal carrier "Totor" sank after being attacked by Houthi forces in the Red Sea. The ship was struck by missiles and a drone-operated explosive boat on June 12th, causing flooding. The 22-member Filipino crew was evacuated on June 14th and returned to their home country.
In March, the British-owned vessel "Roubimar" sank two weeks after being struck by a Houthi missile, marking the first ship to sink as a result of Houthi attacks.
Since November 2023, Houthi forces have intensified their attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, using missiles and UAVs. These attacks have driven up maritime insurance costs and forced many shipping companies to opt for the longer route around the southern tip of Africa.
In response to the escalating threats, the US, a key ally of Israel, formed a multinational coalition in December 2023 to protect maritime navigation from Houthi attacks. US forces have also carried out strikes against Houthi military targets on several occasions.
Despite these efforts, the Red Sea remains a volatile and dangerous zone for shipping, with the Houthi attacks posing a significant threat to the global maritime trade.