The USS Mason pictured in the Gulf of Aden with the Japanese Navy Fubuki-class destroyer Akebono, November 25, 2023. Japanese Navy Photo
A Norwegian-flagged chemical tanker has been hit by an anti-ship missile in international waters in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait off the coast of Yemen, the U.S. has confirmed.
The U.S. Central Command reported the attack on the MT Strinda at around 4 p.m. EST on December 11. Officials have determined that the ship was struck by Anti-Ship Cruise Missile (ASCM) launched from a Houthi controlled area of Yemen while passing through the Bab-el-Mandeb.
The Strinda reported damage and a fire on-board, but so far no casualties have been reported. The report said there were no US ships in the area at the time of the attack, but the USS Mason responded to the Strinda’s mayday call and is rendering assistance. The severity of the fire is unknown.
The incident was first reported by the UK Marine Trade Operations (UKMTO) office which reported the attack took place at 2100 UTC (or midnight local time) in the vicinity of the Bab El Bandeb about 15 nautical miles west of port Mokha, Yemen.
UKMTO later issued a separate report of auspicious activity after a vessel was contacted by individuals identifying themselves as the Yemeni Navy and ordering that the vessel alter course to Yemen. The UKMTO does not identify vessels in its updates, so it’s unclear if this vessel was also the Strinda.
AIS data shows the Strinda was traveling north towards the Suez Canal, but provided no destination info.
The incident comes after Houthi leaders over the weekend threatened attacks on all ships travelling to or from Israel, and previous threats against any Israeli-linked ships in the region. At this point the Israeli connection to the Strinda is unclear. It is owned by Mowinckel Chemical Tankers AS based in Norway.
The incident is the latest involving Red Sea shipping since the Israel-Hamas war broke out on October 7. Last week, a U.S. Navy destroyer responded to four attacks on three separate commercial vessels operating in international waters in the southern Red Sea. In a previous incident last month, two ballistic missiles were launched from Yemen towards the USS Mason and the commercial tanker, the Central Park, shortly after the USS Mason assisted the Central Park after it was boarded by armed individuals, later identified as Somali pirates.
The Houthis also continued to hold the Galaxy Leader car carrier, which was hijacked in the southern Red Sea on November 19. All 25 crew members are being held along with the ship.
Maritime security incidents in the Red Sea have the potential to disrupt shipping through a major maritime trade route that accounts for about 12% of global trade, spanning from the Suez Canal through the Bab el Mandeb Strait to the Gulf of Aden.
The U.S. and Britain have blamed Iran for helping the Houthis plan and execute the attacks including using at least some Iranian weapons.
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 105,903 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
The Royal Navy warship HMS Diamond successfully shot down an anti-ship ballistic missile targeting a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden, marking the first time a Royal Navy warship...
By Rakesh Sharma and Julian Lee (Bloomberg) — India has granted marine insurance approval to four Russian firms, adding impetus to Moscow’s efforts to avoid the use of Western service providers....
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on over a dozen entities, individuals, and ships for their role in the clandestine sale of Iranian unmanned...
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
Sign Up
Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 105,903 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
