The crew of a Chinese boxship have abandoned the vessel after a hazardous cargo explosion and fire in the southern Red Sea.
The Hong Kong-flagged vessel was said to be drifting in the southern Red Sea about 122 nautical miles (226 km) north-west of Hodeidah, Yemen, during a voyage northbound towards the Suez Canal, according to Diaplous Maritime Services.
Security firm Ambrey said it understands that the fire “was related to an explosion involving dangerous cargo”.
“Ambrey observed still images of the vessel, which showed a dark plume of smoke towards the forward section. The vessel was abandoned and left adrift.”
It added that the crew had been rescued with no injuries reported.
While no cause for the explosion was mentioned, it advises merchant vessels to “avoid and report any unusual or suspicious activity”.
Diaplous said the ship was posing a navigational hazard to other vessels in the area.
Although the ship has so far not been identified, AIS data shows two Hong Kong-flagged container ships sailing northbound in the region, the nearest to the Diaplous’ description being the 1,930-teu ASL Bauhinia (built 2022).
The ship’s commercial manager, Asean Sea Lines, has been contacted for comment.
The ASL Bauhinia is broadcasting that it is a Chinese vessel with an all-Chinese crew, although its status still indicates it is underway and using its engine.
During their string of attacks stretching back to late 2023, the Houthis began by targeting Israeli-linked ships but quickly expanded the criteria.
However, Chinese vessels were seldom the victims of attacks and operators from the country began stepping in to provide sailings through the key waterway.
One Hong Kong-flagged ship, the 10,100-teu Maersk Gibraltar (built 2016), narrowly escaped a missile in December 2023.
The vessel was operated by AP Moller-Maersk and owned by Seaspan.
