Drone-fired rocket hits OOCL container ship in the Red Sea

A container vessel passing through the Red Sea region was attacked by a Houthi drone, raising concerns about the safety of ships in the area. The 4,250 teu Number 9 issued a distress call after being hit by a rocket, resulting in engine damage and the ship taking on water. Houthi rebels ordered the vessel to dock at the port of Hodeidah, but the damaged engine prevented the captain from changing course. Despite the attack, the vessel is continuing its original schedule of a Suez Canal transit followed by a call at Alexandria, albeit a day late.

The attack has raised concerns about the targeting of shipping assets, as the Houthi rebels may be using outdated data. The Number 9 was chartered by Israeli line Zim in 2020 and then by Hong Kong-based Gold Star Line for a three-year fixture beginning in 2021. It has been employed by Cosco-owned OOCL over the course of this year. The vessel is deployed on the Ocean Alliance’s AAS Asia-Mediterranean service, and the attack has heightened risks for container vessels passing through the Red Sea region.

The attack on the OOCL ship by a Houthi drone has highlighted the dangers faced by ships passing through the Red Sea region. Despite the attack, the vessel is continuing on its original schedule, and concerns have been raised about the targeting of shipping assets by the Houthi rebels. The vessel’s history of chartering by different companies has also been brought into question, as it may have been a factor in the attack.

Source .