Reports of Houthi missiles fired on Malta-flagged boxship
UK security firm Ambrey reports of three explosions towards ship’s port quarter
Northbound CMA CMA vessel CMA CGM Tage likely target based on Lloyd’s List Intelligence vessel-tracking
HOUTHIS have fired three missiles at a Malta-flagged boxship near its port quarter, according to reports from security firm Ambrey, cited by Reuters.
The missile attack was said to have come from the direction of Yemen’s Taiz Governorate.
The only Malta-flagged boxship in the region is the 9,200 teu CMA CGM Tage (IMO: 9674555), which was sailing northbound through the region.
Although CMA CGM declined to comment on whether its vessel was targeted, the French carrier told Lloyd's List that the vessel "suffered no incident".
The UK Maritime Trade Operations said it had received a report of an incident approximately 33 nautical miles east of Assab, Eritrea and authorities were investigating. Three explosions were heard and the master reported no damage with the crew safe “at present”.
The vessel master was heard over VHF, calling a coalition warship, according to Ambrey.
A nearby vessel reported seeing a small boat, about 50 metres (160 feet) in length, and with two lights, within 1 mile (1.6 km) of the incident location soon afterwards, the firm added.
“On January 2, at approximately 2130 hrs (Sanaa time), Iran-backed Houthis fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen into the southern Red Sea. Multiple commercial ships in the area reported the impact of the ASBMs into the surrounding water though none have reported any damage. These illegal actions endangered the lives of dozens of innocent mariners and continue to disrupt the free flow of international commerce. This is the 24th attack against merchant shipping in the Southern Red Sea since November 19,” according to the US Central Command.
A total of 17 ships have been identified as the targets of Houthi attacks. Of these, nine have been containerships, four products tankers, two bulk carriers and one vehicle carrier and crude oil tanker, respectively.
