
Yemen’s Houthi militants have escalated their campaign to disrupt global shipping, targeting cargo vessels in the Gulf of Aden in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza war. The latest attack on the Rubymar, a Belize-flagged vessel, has left it badly damaged and at risk of sinking, according to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea. Despite the crew’s safe evacuation, the incident underscores the increasing threat posed by Houthi strikes in strategic maritime routes.
The Rubymar, managed by a Lebanese company and registered in Britain, was attacked with missiles on Sunday, forcing the crew to abandon ship. They were later rescued by another vessel and taken to Djibouti. The security firm responsible for the Rubymar’s safety confirmed that the ship was taking in water, raising concerns about its salvage.
This latest attack follows a series of Houthi drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait since November, prompting military responses from the U.S. and Britain. Despite no casualties or sunk ships thus far, the attacks have disrupted maritime traffic in a vital sea lane accounting for approximately 12% of global shipping.
In a separate incident, a Greece-flagged, U.S.-owned bulk carrier was targeted twice on Monday with missiles, causing damage to its window but no injuries to the crew. The vessel, en route from Argentina to Aden, highlights the indiscriminate nature of Houthi attacks on commercial shipping.
The shipping industry is feeling the impact of these disruptions, with vessels rerouting to avoid high-risk zones and facing increased costs and delays. Seafarers, recognizing the dangers, have signed agreements granting them the right to refuse sailing through the Red Sea and receive double pay in high-risk areas.
The Houthis’ targeting of vessels with ties to the U.S., Britain, and Israel has led to higher war risk insurance premiums and significant additional costs for shipping companies. The CEO of QatarEnergy, a major LNG exporter, noted delays in deliveries due to the disruptions.
In response to these incidents, shipping industry associations have called for the release of 25 crew members of the Galaxy Leader commercial ship hijacked by the Houthis three months ago, emphasizing the plight of seafarers caught in the crossfire of geopolitical tensions.
As maritime traffic continues to navigate through volatile waters, shipping companies must weigh the increased risks against the safety of their crews and the economic consequences of disruptions in key shipping lanes.