In an announcement posted on its X web page on July 16, U.S. Central Command (Centcom) introduced that “Iranian-backed Houthis attacked MT Chios Lion, a Liberian-flagged, Marshall Islands-owned, Greek-operated crude oil tanker with a USV within the Crimson Sea”.
“The USV precipitated harm, however MT Chios Lion has not requested help. No accidents have been reported at the moment,” Centcom mentioned within the assertion.
In the identical publish, Centcom mentioned it destroyed 5 Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed aerial automobiles (UAV) over the Crimson Sea and Houthi managed areas of Yemen, including that it was decided these UAVs introduced an imminent menace to U.S., coalition forces, and service provider vessels within the area.
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“Moreover, Iranian-backed Houthis launched a number of assaults towards MT Bentley I, a Panama-flagged, Israel-owned, Monaco-operated tanker vessel within the Crimson Sea carrying vegetable oil from Russia to China,” Centcom famous within the publish.
“Iranian-backed Houthis used three floor vessels on this assault, one uncrewed floor vessel and two small boats. No harm or accidents have been reported at the moment,” it added.
“Later, Iranian-backed Houthis launched an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) from a Houthi-controlled space of Yemen, over the Crimson Sea towards MT Bentley I. No harm or accidents have been reported at the moment,” it continued.
Centcom acknowledged within the publish that “this continued reckless conduct by the Iranian-backed Houthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners throughout the Crimson Sea and Gulf of Aden”.
“The Houthis declare to be appearing on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza and but they’re concentrating on and threatening the lives of third nation nationals who don’t have anything to do with the battle in Gaza,” it mentioned.
“US Centcom will proceed to behave with companions to carry the Houthis accountable and degrade their navy capabilities,” it went on to state.
In a publish printed on his X web page on July 16, Javier Blas, an vitality and commodities columnist at Bloomberg, famous that “the Houthis of Yemen have launched a propaganda video of their assault towards the oil tanker MT Chios Lion utilizing an uncrewed floor vessel”.
“The oil tanker suffered minor harm and the crew is secure,” Blas added within the publish, which was accompanied by the next video.
VIDEO OF THE DAY: The Houthis of Yemen have launched a propaganda video of their assault towards the oil tanker MT Chios Lion utilizing an uncrewed floor vessel (USV). The oil tanker suffered minor harm and the crew is secure | #OOTT pic.twitter.com/CdMr1kz26v
— Javier Blas (@JavierBlas) July 16, 2024
In a launch posted on its web site final month, Centcom famous that, on June 12, Iranian-backed Houthis struck M/V Tutor, a Liberian flagged, Greek owned and operated bulk cargo service, with an uncrewed floor vessel “leading to extreme flooding and harm to the engine room”.
“One civilian mariner stays lacking following the assault. The crew deserted ship and had been rescued by USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and companion forces. M/V Tutor stays within the Crimson Sea and is slowly taking over water,” Centcom mentioned within the launch.
In an announcement posted on the Worldwide Maritime Group (IMO) web site on June 13 referring to the Tutor incident, IMO Secretary-Normal Arsenio Dominguez mentioned, “as soon as once more, I’m appalled at the truth that seafarers going about their work proceed to be focused and injured”.
“I’m actually saddened to study that one crew member is at the moment unaccounted for on service provider vessel Tutor, following an assault on the ship within the Crimson Sea. My ideas and people of IMO, are with the household of the crew member,” he added.
“I strongly condemn any kind of assault towards worldwide delivery, no matter its motivation or trigger. I demand all governments and related organizations to offer most help to seafarers affected, and to spare no effort find a decision to this disaster,” he continued.
“This example can not go on. Everyone goes to really feel the unfavorable impact if worldwide delivery is just not capable of commerce as regular. However our dedication is, above all, safeguarding the protection of all seafarers,” Dominguez went on to state.
Latest Houthi assaults within the Crimson Sea have sharply elevated, disrupting delivery routes and impacting oil markets, Rystad Vitality World Market Evaluation Director Claudio Galimberti mentioned in a market replace despatched to Rigzone by the Rystad group not too long ago.
“This escalation since late Might has heightened maritime safety considerations, prompting vessel rerouting and better delivery prices,” Galimberti added within the replace.
“With no indicators of assaults ceasing amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, the potential for a chronic closure of the Bab el Mandeb Strait looms. This could affect world oil commerce and delivery economics, with broader implications for regional stability and geopolitical methods,” he continued.
To contact the writer, e mail andreas.exarheas@rigzone.com
