Another one of Maersk Line’s US-flagged ships has been targeted by Houthis. The 2004-built 2,500 TEU Maersk Saratoga was escorted by US warships out of Djibouti when the Houthis struck, 10 days after another assault in the vicinity.
Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree disclosed that two “American” destroyers and three “American” supply ships were targeted in the Gulf of Aden.
Vessel-tracking data from S&P Global indicates that the merchant ships were Maersk Saratoga, the products tanker Stena Impeccable and a bulk carrier, Liberty Grace. Maersk Saratoga shuttled between Djibouti and Oman’s Salalah port.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on 10 December that US Navy warships USS Stockdale (DDG 106) and USS O’Kane (DDG 77) successfully defeated a range of Houthi-launched weapons while transiting the Gulf of Aden, between 9 and 10 December.
CENTCOM said: “The destroyers were escorting three US-owned, operated, and flagged merchant vessels. The reckless attacks resulted in no injuries and no damage to any vessels, civilians, or US Naval.
“The destroyers successfully engaged and defeated multiple one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems (OWA UAS), and one anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM), ensuring the safety of the ships and their personnel, as well as civilian vessels and their crews.”
CENTCOM disclosed that between 30 November and 1 December, the warships also fended off a Houthi attack on the same vessels. In both attempted attacks, the ships were not damaged and their crewmen escaped unhurt.
Including the 1 December assault, Maersk Saratoga is the fifth known Maersk ship to be targeted by Houthis. In July, Maersk Sentosa dodged missiles fired by the Iran-backed rebel group. Another vessel, Maersk Yorktown, also escaped damage and injuries after being attacked twice in April.
Alison Koo
Asia Correspondent
