A container ship used in the rescue of seafarers from a sinking cargo vessel targeted by Houthi rebels has itself been hit in the Yemeni group’s latest attack.
The Singapore-flagged 2,082-teu Lobivia (built 2001) was reported to have been hit by two missiles early on Friday in the Gulf of Aden.
The attack started a fire on the ship that was put out by the crew. None of the seafarers were hurt and the ship continued to Berbera port, Somalia, for repairs, the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore said.
The ship is part of Singapore-based Asiatic Lloyd Maritime’s fleet. The Lobivia was involved in a rescue of crew from the 32,200-dwt Rubymar (built 1997) which was badly damaged in an attack in February.
The seafarers on board were safely evacuated after leaving the vessel at anchor with the help of the Lobivia.
The International Maritime Organization has since launched an appeal for pollution kit for the half-sunk Rubymar which had 22,000 tonnes of fertiliser and 200 tonnes of heavy fuel oil on board.
The Lobivia was hit in the early hours of Friday while transiting north-east along the Gulf of Aden, 83 nautical miles (153 km) south-east of Aden.
Another merchant vessel in the vicinity observed “light and blast” where the Lobivia was located. The container ship appeared to perform evasive manoeuvres immediately and switch off its AIS about an hour later.
Read more
- Houthis link Rubymar salvage to Gaza aid as stricken vessel leaks fuel
- Abandoned bulker struck by Houthis still afloat off Yemen, say sources
- Ship hit by missiles in Gulf of Aden as oil spill spotted in Red Sea
- ‘Pure terror’: Red Sea seafarers suffer stress symptoms under real fear of death
- Analysis: Houthi claims of Mediterranean strikes seen as escalation in information war
