Missile Attack on Greek Ship in Red Sea
The Greek-flagged bulk cargo vessel Sea Champion arrives in Aden
The Greek-flagged bulk cargo vessel Sea Champion arrived in the southern Yemeni port of Aden on Tuesday after being attacked in the Red Sea. The attack, which occurred on Monday, was a mistaken missile strike by Houthi militia, causing damage to the vessel’s window but resulting in no crew injuries, according to Greek shipping ministry sources.
Escalating Shipping Risks in the Red Sea
Shipping risks are escalating due to repeated drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait by the Iran-aligned Houthis since November. Despite retaliatory strikes by U.S. and British forces on Houthi facilities, the attacks have persisted, raising concerns for commercial shipping in the region.
Unloading Cargo in Aden before Heading to Hodeidah
The Sea Champion was ferrying corn from Argentina to Aden and was unloading part of its cargo of some 9,229 tonnes of corn in Aden. The vessel was intended to discharge the remaining load of some 31,000 tonnes in the northern Yemeni port of Hodeidah, an area controlled by the Houthis.
Mistaken Attack and Unintentional Action
A port source in Aden and another in Hodeidah both indicated that the attack on the vessel was a mistake, with the Houthis confirming that it was not intentional. Despite attempts to reach Houthi officials for comment, there was no immediate response.
Concerns Grow Over Safety of Commercial Shipping
Despite no sunken ships or casualties resulting from the Houthi attacks, concerns are mounting over the fate of the Rubymar ship, which was hit by missiles in the Gulf of Aden. The commercial shipping industry is also on alert for potential new perils, including the deployment of sea mines.
International Response and Naval Mission
The U.S. military’s Central Command has conducted strikes on various targets in response to the escalating situation. Meanwhile, the European Union has launched a naval mission to the Red Sea to “safeguard freedom of navigation,” with France providing navy escorts for some shipping traffic in the region.
The situation in the Red Sea remains uncertain, with ongoing concerns for the safety of commercial shipping amidst the continued conflict.
