A ship owned by Connecticut-based Eagle Bulk Shipping was hit by a missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on Monday, amid escalating strikes on commercial shipping lanes conducted by Houthis.
Houthi forces in Yemen struck the U.S.-owned and operated ship Gibraltar Eagle with an anti-ship ballistic missile, U.S Central Command said on Monday, although there “were no reports of injuries or significant damage.”
The 63,576 dwt Marshall-flagged ultramax dry bulk ship, 2015-built, is owned by US-listed dry bulk shipping firm Eagle Bulk Shipping.
U.S. Central Command said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Iranian-backed Houthi militants were responsible for the attack.
The vessel was bound for Egypt’s Suez Canal, a major hub for global trade that has been impacted by the Houthis’ attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said that the Master reported port side hit of the vessel from above by a missile in an incident about 95nm Southeast of Aden, Yemen. The vessel and crew were reported to be safe with the ship proceeding to its next port of call. “Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO,” it said.
Earlier in the day, U.S. Forces detected an anti-ship ballistic missile fired toward the Southern Red Sea commercial shipping lanes. The missile failed in flight and impacted on land in Yemen. There were no injuries or damage reported.
As a result of the recent attacks, many of the world’s biggest shipping companies have stopped vessels using the Red Sea route, with economists warning this could have a knock-on effect on inflation and consumer goods prices.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told reporters the UK would not hesitate to take further action against the Houthis to protect itself in the Red Sea.
On Jan. 15 at approximately 4 p.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired an anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and struck the M/V Gibraltar Eagle, a Marshall Islands-flagged, U.S.-owned and operated container ship. The ship has… pic.twitter.com/gixEMaUiVT
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 15, 2024