by Lloyd's List

6 May 2025 (Lloyd's List) - SHIPS calling at Houthi-controlled ports face a growing list of risks as the Yemeni faction’s conflict with Israel and US escalates.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations warned on Tuesday that “sustained kinetic activity in the Red Sea area since mid-March 2025, and, in particular recently reported strikes against targets in the vicinity of Al Hudaydah port overnight 5 to 6 May 2025, suggest an ongoing threat from collateral damage to third-party vessels”.

Israeli fighter jets bombarded the port of Hodeidah on Monday, while the US decimated Ras Isa on April 17 and has reportedly struck it twice since.

Meanwhile, reports have emerged that the Houthis are preventing ships from leaving their waters under the threat of violence.

The shipping community was also warned by the US in March that discharging petroleum products in Houthi-controlled ports after April 5 could lead to sanctions from the US Office of Foreign Assets Control. Three tankers that discharged in Ras Isa after the deadline were blacklisted days after the air raids took place.

There were five vessels berthed at Ras Isa during air strikes on April 17 (excluding the hijacked car carrier Galaxy Leader (IMO: 9237307), according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence data.

According to a casualty report for St Kitts and Nevis-flagged Seven Pearls (IMO: 9343986) that was berthed in Ras Isa during the air raids, three Russian seafarers suffered injuries, including one which was seriously injured. The vessel sustained minor damage.

More evidence of Houthi detaining ships

The Houthis are reportedly detaining a Türkiye-owned liquefied petroleum gas tanker at the port of Ras Isa, according to a Lloyd’s List Intelligence casualty report.

The news comes amid increasing reports that the Yemeni faction is preventing ships from leaving the port under the threat of violence.

“Vessel departure permission has been temporarily cancelled, with ST.Oslo (IMO: 9177806) and its crew held as a deterrent against potential American military intervention,” according to the report.

“The vessel has completed its cargo operations; however, both the vessel and the personnel on board are being treated as strategic assets and are not permitted to depart.”

ST.Oslo’s Türkiye-based shipmanager has been approached for comment.

While the report stated that the Panama-flagged ST.Oslo completed cargo operations, Automatic Identification System data does not show it berthed since arriving at Ras Isa in early March.