The owner of the Saudi Arabian oil tanker denied being the target of a Houthi attack in the Red Sea. Despite being near another attacked ship, the Amjad remained undamaged. US Central Command confirmed the attacks on two oil tankers, including the Blue Lagoon I. The Houthis claimed responsibility for one attack but not the other.
On 2 September, a merchant vessel near Yemen’s Saleef was hit by two missiles according to UKMTO. Despite damage, the crew controlled the situation, avoiding injuries. This incident highlights the risks in the region, where tensions threaten maritime security. International efforts are focused on protecting ships and crews from further attacks, emphasizing the need for vigilance and safety protocols.
Yemen’s Houthi militias targeted the MV Groton with rockets in the Gulf of Aden, the second assault on the vessel. The crew was unharmed, and the ship undamaged. The militants have been conducting attacks in solidarity with Palestinians, posing a threat to maritime trade activities in the region. Diplomatic resolutions are needed to safeguard maritime security.
A Greek-registered oil tanker, Sounion, faces salvage operation in the Red Sea after an attack by Houthi militants. The vessel carries a million barrels of crude oil and explosives. Efforts are underway to prevent an environmental disaster. Greece notified the UN of a potential oil spill. Salvage crews are set to move the vessel with EU support.
On August 18, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the successful destruction of a Houthi UAV in Yemen. The Iran-backed Houthi forces have been targeting ships linked to Israel or the U.S., showing solidarity with Palestinians. This recent operation underscores the U.S. commitment to security in the region amidst escalating tensions.
U.S. forces have recently targeted Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, destroying drones, ground control stations, and missiles. The Iran-aligned Houthi movement claimed attacks on a container ship and US destroyers. Despite this, CENTCOM emphasized the threats posed by such actions, urging regional stability. However, no definitive evidence of attacks on US ships was provided.
The Iran-aligned Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for attacking the MV Groton in the Gulf of Aden and downing a U.S. MQ-9 drone in Saada province. These actions, the first since an Israeli airstrike in July, illustrate the escalating tensions and military capabilities within Yemen’s ongoing conflict and region-wide instability.
Houthi fighters in Yemen have targeted more merchant ships carrying Russian goods compared to products from any other country, despite assurances of safe passage. Russian-owned ships remain unharmed, but international vessels transporting Russian cargo face increased risks. The Houthis’ promises coincide with falling insurance costs, particularly for Chinese ships.
Carbon dioxide emissions from shipping increased by 23 million tonnes in the first half of the year, with ships taking longer routes to avoid attacks in the Red Sea. The industry’s emissions reached around 450 million tonnes, posing a challenge to meeting global emission targets. Increased attacks and sanctions contribute to longer shipping distances.
Yemen’s Houthis claimed military operations in the Gulf of Aden and Eilat, targeting an Israeli ship and military sites in response to an Israeli airstrike. The US Central Command destroyed Iran-backed Houthis unmanned aerial vehicles and vessels, citing imminent threats to US forces and merchant vessels. Houthis have been attacking shipping lanes since November.
Former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, Admiral Stavridis criticized the Western response to the Red Sea conflict as weak and defensive. The ongoing attacks by Iran-backed Houthis have disrupted global shipping, leading to increased costs and bottlenecks in supply chains. Stavridis suggests a strategic offensive plan to neutralize the threat posed by the Houthis and their backers in Iran.
The first LNG tanker to pass through the Red Sea since January sailed through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, despite recent attacks by Yemeni Houthi militias. The Asya Energy ship, carrying cargo, is headed to Gibraltar after calling at the port of Sohar in Oman.
When a missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi Islamists hit near his ship in the Red Sea, Costas Rassias vowed to stop sailing through those dangerous waters. Traumatized sailors refuse to cross the Red Sea due to ongoing attacks, creating a staffing problem in an industry already facing a global shortage of seafarers.
Britain’s Ministry of Defence debunked the Yemeni Houthis’ claim of firing ballistic missiles at a British destroyer in the Red Sea. The attack was deemed false and denied by the Ministry. Allegations of attacks on two merchant ships were also dismissed as the Houthis continue to disrupt shipping traffic in solidarity with Gaza.
Two ships caught fire off the coast of Yemen in Aden after being hit by missiles, as reported by British maritime authorities. The ships sustained damage but managed to contain the fires and no injuries were reported. The Iran-aligned Houthi militia has been targeting ships in the region in solidarity with Palestinians.
