Coal Carrier Abandoned in Red Sea After Houthi Missile Strike, 1 Crew Member Missing

A Greek-owned ship was damaged after an attack by Houthis. Its crew members were rescued while the vessel was abandoned to drift in the Red Sea, per UKMTO.

A crew member from the ship Tutor, a coal carrier sailing under the Liberian Flag, has not been found yet after an attack close to Yemen’s Hodeidah Port on Wednesday, which led to severe flooding and damaged the ship’s engine room, making the vessel not manoeuvrable.

Houthis claimed responsibility for the missile attack on Tutor and another vessel called Verbena in the Gulf of Aden. Two more ships were reportedly damaged, marking a significant rise in their activities.

Houthis have been using missiles and drones against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Bab al Mandeb. They even expanded their areas of attacks recently and sunk a ship, confiscated another one and killed three seafarers in different attacks.

Tutor had 22 crew members, mostly Filipino. The Philippine President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, said they were coordinating with UKMTO to take the crew to Djibouti and the Philippines.

The missing crew member was last believed to be trapped in the ship’s engine room, and authorities are trying to locate him.

Tsavliris Salvage Group will tow the ship, which is loaded with 80,000 tonnes of coal.

Houthi Attacks have impacted commercial shipping, leading to delays and increasing costs. Around 65 nations and major shipping companies like Maersk, Cosco and Shell have been affected.

Houthis also hijacked a vehicle carrier called Galaxy Leader in November, and a bulk carrier called Rubymar loaded with fertilisers sank after a Houthi Missile damaged its hull.

References: Reuters, Guardian

Coal Carrier Abandoned in Red Sea After Houthi Missile Strike, 1 Crew Member Missing appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News