A Greek-controlled tanker carrying a Russian cargo to China has reported a fire and damage to its steering gear after a Houthi missile attack.
The Panama-flag 105,400-dwt Wind (built 2003) was in transit 76 nautical miles (140 km) north-west of Hodeidah, Yemen, in the Red Sea at the time.
The ship is listed under the management of Athens-based Adriatic Tankers Shipping and vessel trackers show it carrying a cargo of fuel oil from Novorossiysk.
UK Maritime Trade Operations said the incident happened at 40 minutes past midnight on Saturday. The master reported “slight” damage to his ship after it was struck by an unknown object on its port quarter.
Security company Ambrey Analytics said a VHF communication indicated that the Wind was hit by a missile and there was a fire in the area of the steering gear.
The US military subsequently confirmed that the strike “caused flooding which resulted in the loss of propulsion and steering”.
In the end, however, no assistance was needed as the crew managed to restore propulsion and steering.
The Wind was continuing to the next port of call later on Saturday.
This is the second time since February that the Houthis have struck a vessel managed by a company linked to Greek owner Panagis Zissimatos.
US Central Command claimed that the missile was fired by the Houthi militia, which controls large swathes of Yemen. The Houthis themselves have not made any statements yet about carrying out an operation against the Wind.
Pirate group spotted
In a separate update highlighting the peril of transiting the region, Ambrey said a pirate action group of two boats with nationals from Somalia and Yemen was sighted near Garacad, Somalia, about 70 nautical miles south of Eyl district.
The sighting was reported by the International Maritime Bureau.
“Ambrey advises merchant vessels to increase vigilance, ensure adherence to Best Management Practices, and to engage armed security where possible if the vessel has a permissible freeboard, when transiting through the area,” the security company said.
