25 April (Lloyd's List) THE target of the Houthi’s latest attack in the Red Sea was likely a Maersk containership, US military authorities said.
US Central Command said a coalition vessel engaged an anti-ship ballistic missile launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, with the target likely the 2004-built, US-flagged, 2,096 teu containership Maersk Yorktown (IMO: 9289192), owned and operated by AP Moller-Maersk. It confirmed there were 18 US crew members and four Greeks on board. There were no injuries or damage.
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Sare’e confirmed the target of the attack and said the “hit was accurate”, though this claim was disputed by both UKMTO and Centcom.
Sare’e said Houthi forces also targeted a US warship with drones in the Gulf of Aden and the boxship MSC Veracruz (IMO: 9287924), owned and operated by Mediterranean Shipping Company. MSC would not comment.
Centcom said it destroyed four drones over Yemen between 1207 hrs and 1326 hrs. Separately, UK Maritime Trade Operations reported another incident at 0715 hrs 15 nm southwest of Aden, Yemen. It said authorities are investigating and vessels should report suspicious activity.
Lloyd’s List Intelligence data shows the 1999-built, Liberia-flagged, 5618 teu MSC Darwin VI (IMO: 9200689), owned by MSC, in the area of the reported incident at the same time, though MSC would not comment.
The Houthi attacks come after a lull of more than two weeks.
