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Date: 09 December 2023 Type: Missile Attack Voyage: China & East Africa
Following a recent spate of attacks by Houthi militants on merchant vessel transiting the Red Sea, shipping line Maersk announced yesterday that it was suspending transits through Suez.
It is expected that Hapag Lloyd, and perhaps others, will follow suit.
Maersk’s decision follows the attack on MAERSK GIBRALTER two days ago, although fortunately there were no injuries or damage to the vessel on that occasion.
The incidents over recent weeks have been in the vicinity of the Bab el-Mandeb, a narrow waterway only 20 miles wide between the Yemeni coast and Djibouti and Eritrea.
Yesterday that were two attacks reported, both involving containerships. The first involved Liberian flag vessel AL JASRAH (53,148gt, built 2016) which was hit by a projectile, leading to damage to cargo on board. No injuries were reported.
AL JASRAH was at the time on an east bound voyage towards ports in China and South Korea, having sailed from Piraeus on 09 December 2023.
The second incident involved Liberian flag containership MSC PALATIUM III (26,435gt, built 2006) which was reported to be on fire following an attack. MSC PALATIUM is on a voyage from East Africa, having sailed from Mombasa on 09 December 2023, destined for ports in the Mediterranean.
The vessel is understood to have turned around, presumably heading for a place of refuge. It is believed that the missile that struck the MSC vessel may have been intended to strike the nearby AL JASRAH. It is not yet clear whether anyone on board was injured in the attack.
