Boat attack hits cargo ship off Hodeidah in Red Sea

News

Wed, 12-06-2024 06:01 PM, Aden

Aden

Today, a Greek-owned cargo ship was damaged when a boat collided with it off Yemen's port of Hodeidah in the Red Sea, according to reports from Reuters citing British maritime security firm Ambrey and shipping sources.

Reuters said that the ship Tutor was struck by “a small craft”, causing damage to its engine room.

According to Ambrey, the ship was hit about 67.7 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah, and “the incident bore the hallmarks of an attack by Yemen’s Houthi militia.”

“The vessel aligned with the Houthi target profile at the time of the incident,” Ambrey said in an advisory note.

UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a small 5 to 7-meter-long white craft collided with the stern of the cargo ship.

Two Greek shipping sources, who requested to remain anonymous, said the Liberian-flagged Tutor was damaged in what “appeared to be a deliberate attack”, adding that the engine room took in water.

A Greek ministry official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the Tutor was “hit twice by air and by sea”, though there were no reported injuries.

Reuters added that it was not immediately possible to contact the ship's manager for comment.

So far, the Houthis have not officially commented on the incident.

If Houthi involvement is confirmed, this would be the first attack by the Iranian-backed Shiite militia against a cargo ship by boat since the naval campaign began in November 2023.

Vessel Finder

Boat attack hits cargo ship off Hodeidah in Red Sea