Houthis Attack Second Ship In 24 Hours, Crew Injured & 2 Missing

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have launched back-to-back attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, hitting two Greek-operated bulk carriers within 24 hours. The attacks have left one ship sunk, another drifting without power, two sailors injured, and two missing.

The latest incident happened on Monday night when the Liberian-flagged bulker Eternity C was attacked about 49 to 51 nautical miles southwest of the port city of Hodeidah, which is under Houthi control.

The ship, managed by Athens-based Cosmoship and operated by a Greek firm, was sailing north toward the Suez Canal with a cargo of steel destined for Iran.

Per reports from British maritime security company Ambrey and the EU’s anti-piracy force Operation Atalanta, the Eternity C was targeted by five rocket-propelled grenades, small arms fire, and bomb-laden drones launched from multiple small boats.

The vessel lost propulsion and began drifting after being seriously damaged.

Two crew members were injured in the attack, while two others are reported missing. The ship had 21 Filipino sailors, one Russian crew member, and three security guards on board. The vessel had not requested an escort at the time of the attack.

The incident followed Sunday’s attack on another Greek-managed Liberian-flagged bulker Magic Seas, which was hit in the same area, around 60 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah. Dones, missiles, RPGs, gunfire, and remote-controlled explosive boats were used to attack the ship.

مشاهد وثقها طاقم السفينة MV MAGIC SEAS بعد الاستهداف pic.twitter.com/FGCxhwBTVJ

— سعيد المعيَني (@saeedalmaini) July 7, 2025

The crew of Magic Seas, consisting of 22 people, abandoned the ship after it began taking on water. The vessel was later confirmed sunk by EOS Risk Group, making it the third ship the Houthis have sent to the bottom of the Red Sea since the Gaza war began in October 2023.

A rescue ship operated by Abu Dhabi Ports brought the crew to safety.

According to Vanguard Tech, a maritime risk analysis firm, both the Eternity C and Magic Seas were linked to shipowners whose other vessels had previously called at Israeli ports like Haifa and Ashdod.

Vanguard said the operator of Magic Seas had another vessel docked in Israel at the time of the attack. It added that the pattern of attacks match the Houthi warning to target all shipowners connected to Israeli ports or trade, even if the attacked vessels themselves are not carrying Israeli cargo.

Ellie Shafik, the head of intelligence at Vanguard Tech, said the incident could have been avoided if risk assessments had included ownership history. The firm described the decision to send Magic Seas through the Red Sea as putting the vessel at “extreme risk.”

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the Magic Seas attack and said it was hit by five missiles, three drones, and two unmanned explosive boats-a large-scale, coordinated strike more powerful than any previous attack by the group.

Since the Gaza conflict began, the Houthis have attacked numerous ships in the region, claiming they are targeting vessels linked to Israel or the West.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces responded with airstrikes on several Houthi-controlled locations in Yemen. According to the Houthi-run Al Masirah channel, Israeli strikes hit the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa, Salif, the Ras Al Khatib power station, and even the Galaxy Leader vessel seized by Houthis in 2023, which was docked at Ras Isa port.

The Israeli army confirmed targeting what it called “terror infrastructure” of the Houthis and said this was the first attack on Yemen in about a month.

Ambrey reported that satellite images showed damage to the concrete docks at Hodeidah after the Israeli strikes. Two Barbados-flagged bulk carriers also likely suffered blast damage, though no injuries were reported among their crews.

The renewed attacks on ships has caused a jump in oil prices. As of Monday at 3:31 p.m. ET, Brent crude rose 2.08% to $69.72 per barrel, and WTI increased 2.39% to $68.09 per barrel. Insurance premiums for ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait have risen, with more coverage exclusions likely in the coming days.

References: Reuters, AP News

Source: Maritime Shipping News