A Hong Kong-operated container ship hit in a drone attack may have been targeted due to outdated information being used by the Houthi militia in Yemen.
Databases show no current links to any Israeli entities, but Orient Overseas Container Line’s 4,253-teu Number 9 (built 2007) was previously operated by Israel’s Zim, sources said.
A missile fired from Houthi territory damaged the ship in international waters in the Red Sea on Sunday.
Maritime security advisory company Ambrey Analytics said: “The operatorship appeared to change from Zim in November 2021, indicating that the Houthis’ database might have been out of date for as many as 25 months.”
Ambrey was able to verify this using an OOCL schedule.
VesselsValue reported the panamax fixed to Zim in October 2020 for a year at $17,500 per day.
Security companies have warned previously that any past links to Israeli entities may render a vessel a target.
Ambrey had earlier reported that the incident looked like a case of mistaken identity due to the lack of apparent Israeli affiliations.
A Houthi armed forces statement said the boxship was Israeli-linked.
The Number 9 is owned by Castle Harbour Real Asset Investment and managed by Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM).
Zim has been contacted for comment.
AIS stayed on
Before the attack, the vessel’s AIS remained on, further indicating that it was not considered to be at heightened risk, Ambrey said.
BSM said it is investigating the attack.
“Reports indicate the vessel … was hit by a projectile on 3 December … while transiting the Bab al-Mandeb Strait,” the manager said.
“BSM immediately activated its emergency response team and is working with all relevant authorities and parties.
“There are no reports of injuries or pollution, and the vessel is currently sailing. All crew onboard are accounted for and safe. Our priorities are to ensure the continued safety of the crew and vessel.”
As TradeWinds reported on Sunday, the ship was one of at least three attacked by the Houthis over the weekend.
The 60,700-dwt bulker Unity Explorer (built 2016) and 81,200-dwt AOM Sophie II (built 2020) were also targeted.
The Unity Explorer is owned by UK-registered Unity Maritime, which is controlled by Danny Ungar, the son of Israeli billionaire Abraham “Rami” Ungar.
Databases identify the AOM Sophie II as owned by Japan’s Kyowa Shipping. Any Israeli links are not clear.
“These events marked an escalation of Houthi activity in the Red Sea in response to the Israel-Gaza conflict, which had seen a temporary ceasefire end two days prior,” Ambrey said.
