The crew of a bulk carrier that was part of an operation to export Ukrainian grain and was attacked by Houthi missiles over the weekend has now been evacuated from the ship by military officials from the region.
Houthis on Sunday night attacked a large cargo ship transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the narrowest and most vulnerable part of the southern Red Sea route connecting Asia and the Mediterranean Sea, with a missile. Anti-government forces claimed responsibility for the attack. The ship, identified as the bulk carrier Rubimar, was hit in the engine room by the attack. Mr. Bloomberg said. This is a statement from a company official.
The attack on the Rubimaa comes after Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, in solidarity with Hamas, have carried out dozens of missile and drone attacks against passing ships since last year. This may be the first time a missile has caused significant damage. According to information published by Western militaries, shipowners and maritime industry publications contributing to security operations around Yemen, the majority of missile attacks have either failed to make contact with their targets or have so far been relatively minor. It was causing damage and did not require an attack. Abandoned ship.
But now the Houthis themselves claimed It said Sunday night’s attack caused “catastrophic damage” to the Rubimar, leaving the large cargo ship disabled and unable to proceed and “at risk of sinking.” According to Western sources, no one on board was injured after the attack, and the British military said that “the ship is at anchor and all crew members are safe.” This suggests that those remaining in the area are at risk for their lives.
Houthi attack on Red Sea: Retailers warn of shortages and price rises as imports slow https://t.co/Wb2q6NMIjS
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) January 5, 2024
The military-run UK Maritime Trade Operations Office (UKMTO) service, which disseminates up-to-date information on attacks on commercial ships in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea, provides a grid reference for attacks and notes that the Rubimar was attacked in its narrowest part. of Bab el-Mandeb. This is a potentially serious problem. While one ship sunk in the Straits alone cannot cut off traffic, the presence of uncommanded ships and shipwrecks further reduces the space available for passage of traffic, reducing room for maneuver and preventing future Passage will be possible. Less secure.
The Houthis have previously threatened to: close the straitone of the world’s major trade routes.
UKMTO said in an update on Rubimar: “Military authorities report that the crew has abandoned ship. The vessel at anchor and all crew members are safe. Military authorities remain on scene to assist.”
The attack on the Rubimaa may be the first serious damage to a ship by Houthi missiles and the first since Houthi special forces boarded and captured the car carrier Galaxy Leader in November. ships may have been eliminated, but the real impact of the attack is to undermine confidence in the global maritime trade system. Hundreds of voyages by some of the world’s largest ships, including oil tankers, bulk carriers and container ships, have been diverted from the Red Sea over concerns and insurance premiums have soared.
The immediate additional costs of transporting these cargo vessels long distances from Asia to Europe, the long-term increase in shipping costs due to reduced vessel supply, and insurance costs represent potentially significant inflation for already strong import-dependent Western economies. This may be a factor. Headwind.
The Rubimar, a British-flagged, Lebanese-flagged, Lebanese-flagged ship, was previously advanced to the Black Sea Despite the Russian blockade, attempts were made to export Ukrainian grain through Black Sea ports. Russia said it would treat the ships as legitimate military targets.
For Western countries dependent on imports, costs will rise as long as the Houthis continue to close the Red Sea. https://t.co/jaKab0GdSJ
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) December 21, 2023
