Cairo: The Panama-flagged crude oil tanker experienced a fire incident following an encounter with an unidentified projectile off the coast of Yemen on Saturday. This incident marks another attack on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
The location of the event was approximately 23 nautical miles northwest of the Red Sea port of al-Mukha, according to Ambrey, a British maritime security firm. Confirming the incident, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency stated that the crew managed to extinguish the fire, ensuring the safety of both the vessel and its crew. UKMTO further advised that the vessel is proceeding towards its next port of call.
The tanker, previously registered under Union Maritime Ltd, a UK company in 2019, underwent registration changes, including its name and operator, just last month. Ambrey reported that at the time of their statement, the vessel had altered its course towards New Mangalore, India.
A series of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi operatives in the Red Sea have disrupted global shipping over the past months, prompting shipping firms to seek alternative, longer routes around southern Africa, incurring higher costs. There are concerns that these attacks could lead to further destabilization in the wider Middle East.
The Houthis have stated that their attacks are in support of the Palestinians in Gaza, vowing to continue until Israel ceases its actions and withdraws from the enclave. Responding to the situation, the United States and Britain have conducted strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen and designated the militia as a terrorist group.
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