On Dec 14, 2023, the 'Maersk Gibraltar', en route from Salalah to Jeddah, was attacked by Houthi militans in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea. The Houthis claimed that they had managed to hit Maersk Gibraltar with a weapon fired from a drone. Maersk rejected that. The missile was launched from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen. The missile struck the sea 50 meters from the ship's port side. Before the attack, the ship was ordered by Houthis to change course and sail into Yemeni waters. The USA is currently investigating the possibilities of putting together a multinational naval force that can protect civilian shipping in the Red Sea.
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GALAXY LEADER
Groups of men have been photographed on Dec 5, taking selfies and tours on the 'Galaxy Leader'. A boat carries people to the vehicles carrier at the port of Hodeidah which is held in port along with its crew, including Bulgarian, Mexican, Filipino and Ukrainian nationals. Images from on board have shown large groups of people entering and leaving the ship by boat, as well as several Yemenis armed with rifles walking the deck. At least one part of the ship also displayed graffiti with a slogan expressing support for Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The 'Galaxy Leader' is owned by Galaxy Maritime Ltd, which is registered in the Isle of Man. It is owned by Ray Car Carriers, which is co-owned by Israeli businessman Abraham Ungar, according to documents from the Isle of Man government's companies registry. Reports with photos: https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bk6h8p6st https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12834113/Hijacked-cargo-ship-tourist-attraction-Groups-men-seen-taking-tours-Galaxy-Leader-Iran-Houthi-rebels-sieged-vessel-Red-Sea.html https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67632940
ARDMORE ENCOUNTER
The 'Ardmore Encounter' on its way from Mangalore, was approached by a speed boat with armed persons prior to the missile attack on Dec 13, after its crew refused to comply with Yemeni calls to change its northbound course. The speedboat had two engines and approached the vessel at 20 knots. Up to 10 rounds of bullets were fired at the 'Ardmore Encounter' from a distance of 300 metres. When the vessel continued on its course under the protection and instructions of the nearby warship USS 'Mason', the Yemeni Houthis fired two missiles at it. One missile was reportedly intercepted, while the second exploded approximately 200 yards from the tanker's stern. All crew members were safe, and no damage was reported to the vessel. The vessel remained fully operational with no loss of cargo or damage onboard, and was considered to be out of immediate danger since.
ALMERAJ 1
Suspected pirates aboard the hijacked 'Al Meraj I' have surrendered to Somali police after being monitored by European Union Operation Atalanta assets. On Nov 22, 2023 the European Union Naval Force (EU Navfor) Joint Operations Centre was alerted by the Commander of the Somali Coast Guard about the abduction of the fishing dhow off the coast of Eyl. The pirates weare thought to have come from a local clan, and their attack on the fishing vessel was in response to claims of the fishing vessel operating within Somali territorial waters. The Somalis were demanding $400 000 for the release of the 'Al Meraj I' and its crew. They threatened to use the vessel to attack more shipping if the ransom was not paid. From Nov 22 on, Operation Atalanta monitored the vessel closely for more than 230 nautical miles away from the coast of Somalia, contributing to prevent the alleged pirates from posing any threat. The operation included the deployment of an unarmed ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle from an Operation Atalanta warship. It is thought the vessel was not boarded because authorities were not sure if hostages were on board. The 'Al Meraj I', after losing its two towed skiffs and in poor weather, turned back towards the coast of Puntland, and its crew surrendered to Somali police.
GALAXY LEADER
The Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Dec 11 it was using “quiet diplomacy” to secure the freedom of 17 Filipino crew members of the 'Galaxy Leader' who have been taken hostage by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea in November. The government team on the ground was waiting for updates, including from the country’s honorary consul in Sanaa, Yemen, awaiting updates from the Ambassador in Oman and the Ambassador in Qatar, because these two countries were the active ones in mediating with the Houthi . The ship has a total of 25 people on board, coming from Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico and Romania.