One of Greek ship owner Contships Management’s container ships was hit by Houthi missiles on 8 August, along with a Suezmax oil tanker owned by Delta Tankers.
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said that the Iran-backed Yemeni rebels successfully struck the 2007-built, 1,080 TEU Contship Ono with missiles and drones, while the ship was underway in the Red Sea.
S&P Global’s vessel-tracking data shows that Contship Ono had just been bunkered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and was presumably heading for India when the attack occurred.
Yahya said Contship Ono was targeted as it had called Israel, despite vessel-tracking data showing no prior calls at the country.
Contship Ono is operated by Dubai-based Aladin Express, which has deployed the vessel to a service connecting the Persian Gulf with Malaysia and South Asia. As of today (9 August), the ship is anchored in Jeddah.
Container News contacted Contships for comment, but has yet to receive a reply.
Additionally, on 8 August, the master of Delta Tankers’ 158,000 dwt tanker Delta Blue reported that it was attacked while it was 45 nautical miles south of Yemen’s Al-Mukha port, according to an X post by UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). Delta Blue had set out from Basra, Iraq, on 31 July.
The master reported an attack by an RPG exploding in close proximity to the vessel from two small crafts, white and black in colour, each with four persons on board. The persons on board the small craft are reported to be wearing white and yellow raincoats.
UKMTO said that a further attack took place at 22:45 UTC, involving a missile exploding in close proximity to Delta Blue. At 03:40 UTC the following day, a third attack, allegedly involving a sea drone, was attempted. Armed guards on Delta Blue fired at the drone, causing it to explode.
At 05:57 UTC, a fourth assault attempt, involving another missile exploding near the Delta Blue, took place. UKMTO said none of the crew was hurt and Delta Blue is proceeding to its destination.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
