In a disturbing escalation of maritime hostilities, Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted vessels traversing the Red Sea on Friday, with a missile strike causing a fire on the fuel tanker Marlin Luanda, operated by trading firm Trafigura. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of shipping routes in the region.
Trafigura reported that the missile struck the Marlin Luanda while it was transiting the Red Sea. The tanker, carrying Russian naphtha purchased below the G7 sanctions price cap, experienced a fire in one cargo tank on the starboard side. The company stated that firefighting equipment on board was being deployed to suppress and control the blaze. Trafigura assured that they are in contact with the vessel and monitoring the situation closely, with military ships en route to provide assistance.
Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea have primarily targeted container vessels, but this incident marks a significant shift as a fuel tanker becomes a casualty. The vessel Free Spirit, chartered by Vitol to transport crude oil, altered its course and made a U-turn before reaching the Gulf of Aden, following the attack on the Marlin Luanda, according to data from LSEG. Vitol, the chartering company, has yet to respond to requests for comment.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency and British maritime security firm Ambrey reported receiving information about vessels being struck near Yemen's Aden, with fires breaking out aboard. The Houthi military spokesperson claimed responsibility for an operation targeting the "British" tanker Marlin Luanda in the Gulf of Aden, causing a fire.
UKMTO received a report of an incident approximately 60 nautical miles southeast of Aden, where a vessel was struck by a missile and remains on fire. The crew is reported to be safe, and coalition warships are providing assistance. Ambrey also confirmed an incident 55 miles southeast of Aden, where a fire broke out on a merchant vessel after being hit by a missile.
Earlier, UKMTO reported an incident involving two missiles exploding near a ship off the port of Aden and another one 60 nautical miles off Yemen's Hodeidah port. It remains unclear if one of these vessels was the Marlin Luanda.
In response to the attacks, the U.S. military released a statement confirming the interception of an anti-ship ballistic missile from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen, emphasizing that there were no injuries or damage. The Houthi rebels have been launching drones and missiles at vessels in the Red Sea since November 19, in retaliation for Israel's military operations in Gaza. Some shipping companies have suspended transits through the Red Sea, opting for longer and costlier routes around Africa.