Reuters: Saudi oil tanker, commercial vessel report attack in Red Sea

A Saudi oil tanker and another Panamanian-flagged oil vessel were attacked on Monday in the Red Sea off Yemen, two sources familiar with the matter said, although it was not clear whether Iran-aligned Houthi militants were behind the attack.

The two sources added to Reuters that the Saudi-flagged tankers, Amjad, and the Panama-flagged Blue Lagoon 1, were sailing close to each other when they were hit, but the tankers were able to continue their journeys without major damage or injuries to any of their personnel.

Bahri National Shipping Group of Saudi Arabia, which owns the Amjad, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The tanker has a maximum capacity of 2 million barrels.

Greek company Seatrade Marine SA, which operates the 1 million-barrel Blue Lagoon 1, was not immediately available for comment.

One of the sources said that it is unlikely that the tanker (Amjad) was directly targeted.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, has been watching with concern the Houthis’ firing of missiles over its territory to target ships in the Red Sea. Riyadh is trying to emerge from a chaotic war in Yemen and a devastating conflict with Iran, the Houthis’ main backer.

The Joint Maritime Information Center, run by international naval forces that tracks Houthi attacks, said three ballistic missile attacks hit the Blue Lagoon tanker on Monday about 70 nautical miles northwest of the port of Saleef in northern Yemen.

The center added in a report that its assessments “indicate that the Blue Lagoon A tanker was targeted because other ships within the company to which the tanker belongs have recently issued calls to dock in Israel.”

"All crew members are fine. The ship sustained minor damage but does not require assistance," he added.

Earlier, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it had been informed by the captain of a merchant vessel that it had been “hit by two unknown projectiles” before a “third explosion occurred in the vicinity,” 70 nautical miles northwest of the port of Saleef in the western Yemeni province of Hodeidah, which is under the control of the Houthi rebels.

The authority, which is run by the British Royal Navy, indicated that “the damage is currently being controlled.” It noted that “there were no injuries on board the ship, which is heading to the next port.”

For its part, the British maritime security company, Ambry, reported that the tanker flies the Panamanian flag, and that it was likely “targeted because the company (owner or operator) is associated with a ship visiting Israeli ports.” It pointed out that military authorities in the region confirmed that the projectiles that hit the ship were missiles.

In a separate attack, the authority reported receiving a report from another commercial vessel that it had been “hit by a drone” 58 nautical miles west of Hodeidah, noting that “there were no casualties on board the ship, which is heading to the next port.”

"Ambry" indicated that this ship "is not among the Houthis' declared target bank."

No party has claimed responsibility for the attacks so far, but they come in the context of repeated attacks carried out by the Houthis since November on commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The Iran-backed Houthis say they are carrying out the attacks in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel is waging a war against Hamas after the latter attacked its territory on October 7.

Houthi attacks have prompted some shipping companies to detour around South Africa to avoid crossing the Red Sea, a vital route through which 12% of global trade passes.

Washington is leading an international naval coalition with the aim of “protecting” maritime navigation in this strategic region.

In an attempt to deter them, American and British forces have been launching strikes on Houthi sites in Yemen since January 12. The American military alone occasionally carries out strikes on missile and drone platforms that it says are ready to launch.

Source: Reuters + AFP