The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported a missile attack on a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden on August 3, breaking a period of relative calm in the region. The incident occurred approximately 125 nautical miles east of Aden, Yemen, when a missile struck the vessel.
The vessel’s Master reported the hit, initially noting an unknown explosive impact. Subsequent investigations by the company’s security officer identified the projectile as a missile. Fortunately, no fire, water ingress, or oil leaks resulted from the strike.
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Sare’e claimed responsibility on social media, stating that their naval and missile forces targeted the Liberian-flagged, 2,490 TEU container ship Groton, built in 2002. The Groton, operating under CMA CGM’s India Gulf Red Sea Express service (BIGEX2), was en route between Jebel Ali and Djibouti at the time of the attack.
The Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC) provided further details, confirming the Groton was subjected to two attacks. The first occurred 170 nautical miles east of Aden, where a missile landed approximately 100 meters from the vessel. The second, successful strike hit the ship above the waterline, 125 nautical miles east of Aden. The JMIC’s assessment suggested the Groton was targeted due to other vessels within its company structure having recently made port calls in Israel. Sare’e also mentioned the attack was in response to the vessel’s company violating the Houthi ban on ships calling at “ports of occupied Palestine.”
Merchant Vessel Targeted in the Gulf of Aden
This missile strike follows a series of warnings from UKMTO, with the last alert issued on July 20. On that occasion, a vessel reported multiple attacks in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, involving an uncrewed aerial system (UAS), an uncrewed surface vessel (USV), and a missile. The crew and vessel emerged safely, suffering only minor damage from the UAS strike.
Despite a recent lull in attacks on shipping in the region, the U.S. military has continued operations against Houthi assets. In the past week, they have destroyed a Houthi missile and launcher, three Houthi USVs, and one Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV), underscoring ongoing tensions and the threat to maritime security.
The resurgence of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea poses significant risks to international shipping lanes, which are crucial for global trade. These incidents highlight the volatile security environment and the need for heightened vigilance and enhanced protective measures for vessels transiting the region. As geopolitical tensions persist, shipping companies must navigate these threats carefully, balancing operational needs with safety considerations.
