Bulk Carrier M/V Gibraltar Eagle Hit By Missile In The Gulf Of Aden

A bulk carrier that the US-based Eagle Bulk Shipping owns has been struck by a missile in the Gulf of Aden. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (abbreviated the UKMTO) and maritime security specialists Ambrey said the incident occurred some 95 nm southeast of Aden in Yemen.

The US Central Command identified the vessel as the Gibraltar Eagle, which flies the Marshall Islands flag, referring to it as a US-owned and operated container vessel. The vessel was originally transiting in the westbound route of the International Recommended Transit Corridor (abbreviated the IRTC) sailing toward the Suez Canal.

Per the UKMTO, zero injuries or significant damages have been reported, and the 2015-manufactured Ultramax, ex-Stony Stream, is continuing toward its upcoming port of call. Ambrey has informed that the bulker was impacted in hold number 5, adding that the Houthis initiated the three missiles; two did not reach the sea, and one heavily influenced the 64,000 dwt bulker.

Ambrey has assessed that the attack to have successfully targeted the US interests as a response to the US military strikes on the Houthi military positions based in Yemen, the firm reported via its note on Monday. The vessel arrived in the Gulf of Aden after industry, and the army advised to avoid the southern Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait for 72 hours following US and UK strikes on Houthis last week.

In its Monday statement, Eagle Bulk reportedly confirmed that the vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile about 100 miles offshore in the waters of the Gulf of Aden. Owing to the impact, the vessel experienced limited damages to the cargo hold but is known to be stable and sailing out of the spot. The seafarers on the vessel have been confirmed to be uninjured. The ship is loaded with a cargo of steel items. The firm mentioned that the Eagle Bulk management is in touch with relevant authorities concerning the matter.

Reference: Splash 247

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Source: Maritime Shipping News