Houthi militants targeted a US-owned commercial vessel, the Gibraltar Eagle, with an anti-ship ballistic missile on Monday, highlighting concerns about the safety of key trade routes. The incident occurred in the Gulf of Aden, a region that has been the focus of recent warnings from the US, urging ships to steer clear of the Red Sea due to heightened security risks.
The Gibraltar Eagle, sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands, was struck at approximately 4 p.m. local time, according to the US Central Command. Despite the missile strike, no injuries were reported, and the vessel sustained limited damage to a cargo hold. The ship was able to continue its journey after the incident.
The attack on the Gibraltar Eagle comes amid escalating tensions in the region, with US and UK forces conducting airstrikes in Yemen in response to months of Houthi attacks on commercial ships. The Houthi militants had been targeting vessels with any connection to Israel, prompting the recent military intervention. In retaliation, the Houthis warned of reprisals against US and UK ships, raising concerns about the safety of maritime navigation in the area.
Eagle Bulk Shipping, the operator of the Gibraltar Eagle, confirmed the attack, stating that the ship was hit by a projectile and suffered limited damage to a cargo hold. The vessel was transporting steel products at the time of the incident.
The maritime industry had already received warnings to stay away from the region on Friday, with initial guidance suggesting a temporary pause lasting three days. However, the recent attack on the Gibraltar Eagle has heightened concerns, prompting a renewed call for caution and vigilance in navigating these waters.
The world’s largest international shipping association, Bimco, posted a navigation warning on LinkedIn, citing advice from the US Naval Forces Central Command. The warning urged shipping companies to consider avoiding operations in the area due to ongoing instability, and it emphasized that the situation could persist for an extended period.
“Coalition forces and Bimco continue to recommend shipping companies to consider avoiding shipping operations in the area,” the trade group stated, reflecting the industry’s growing unease about the safety of key trade routes.
The attacks on commercial vessels by Houthi militants have broader implications for the maritime industry, impacting shipping costs and potentially leading to delays in the delivery of commodities. Vessels that choose to avoid the region are forced to take longer routes around Africa, contributing to concerns about inflation and supply chain disruptions.
Gas tankers from Qatar are among the vessels that have seemingly been compelled to take the longer route, and multiple tanker companies announced a pause in transits through the affected area on Friday. The cautionary measures are aimed at safeguarding the well-being of crew members and protecting valuable cargo from potential security threats.
The maritime industry, represented by organizations like Bimco, faces the challenge of navigating through these troubled waters while balancing the need for efficient trade operations with the imperative of ensuring safety in the face of escalating geopolitical tensions.
