Bulk Carrier sunk by Yemen’s Houthies Yemen’s Houthis launched a fatal attack on a Barbados-flagged dry bulk carrier in the Gulf of Aden, resulting in the deaths of at least two crew members. In a concerning turn of events, Yemen’s Houthis launched a fatal attack on a Barbados-flagged dry bulk carrier in the Gulf of Aden, resulting in the deaths of at least two crew members. The targeted vessel, True Confidence, recently changed ownership, having been sold by US private equity group Oaktree Capital just days before the attack. The fatalities were confirmed by the UK embassy in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, shortly after the Houthi rebel group claimed responsibility for the assault, according to the Financial Times.
This incident marks a significant escalation in the Houthi’s campaign against commercial ships, which has seen over 40 attacks since November. Previously, these assaults had not caused serious injuries to mariners. The attack on True Confidence follows a similar assault on February 19, which resulted in the sinking of the dry bulk carrier Rubymar. Following the attack, the US condemned the Houthis’ actions, urging other nations to join in denouncing the assaults on international shipping. The Houthis’ spokesman, Yahya Sare’e, claimed responsibility for the attack, labeling True Confidence an “American ship” and renewing the group’s purported support for Gaza’s Palestinians, allegedly backed by Iran. True Confidence, managed by Third January Maritime in Greece, had a diverse crew composition, including Filipinos, Vietnamese, Indians, Sri Lankans, and Nepalese. The vessel was en route from China to destinations in Saudi Arabia and Jordan, carrying steel products and trucks under the Barbadian flag. Analysts suggest that confusion over the ship’s ownership may have contributed to the attack, as maritime databases still listed Oaktree as the owner despite the recent sale. This underscores the Houthis’ reliance on open-source information, potentially leading to attacks on unrelated vessels. As tensions persist in the region, concerns grow over the safety of maritime traffic in the Gulf of Aden.
Source: The Financial Times
