8 May 2024 (Lloyd's List) - TWO Mediterranean Shipping Co-owned containerships were the targets of missile attacks in the Gulf of Aden, the Joint Maritime Information Center has confirmed.
JMIC said the Panama-flagged, 1999-built, 4,056 teu MSC Gina (IMO: 9202663) and Panama-flagged, 1999-built, 4,050 teu MSC Diego (IMO: 9202649) were transiting the Gulf of Aden approximately 82 nautical miles south of Aden when the attack happened at 0226 hrs on May 7.
Neither vessel was hit, and no injuries were reported. JMIC confirmed a coalition vessel assisted the two boxships and suggested that both MSC vessels were likely targeted due to perceived Israeli affiliation.
MSC was approached for comment but did not have any additional information on the incidents.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels have not claimed responsibility for the attacks, but the location falls within the JMIC estimation of the group’s capability range.
MSC Gina was likely the target of an attack on April 7 too, joining several other vessels owned or operated by MSC that have been confirmed or likely were the target of attacks in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean since April 7. This does not include the hijacking of the MSC-operated MSC Aries (IMO: 9857169) by Iranian forces on April 13.
MSC schedules confirm MSC Diego was en route to Djibouti from Salalah, Oman, before continuing to Shanghai. MSC Gina was en route to Djibouti from Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Both vessels show significant gaps in their Automatic Identification Systems as they transmitted through the area where attacks have taken place. MSC Diego stopped transmitting its location when it left Salalah on May 4 and MSC Gina ceased AIS transmission on May 1 after leaving Colombo.
Both vessels resumed transmission after reaching anchorage in Djibouti and remain either at port or at anchor.
JMIC recommends AIS policy on vessels is “very carefully considered” as broadcasting AIS aids Houthi targeting.
In a separate incident, US Central Command said Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched three drones over the Gulf of Aden between 2302 hrs and 2348 hrs on May 6. A coalition ship successfully engaged one drone, while US Centcom forces shot down the other. The third drone crashed in the Gulf of Aden.
