SINGAPORE: A Singapore-flagged vessel was struck by unknown projectiles southeast of Yemen on Friday (Jul 19).
In a statement, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said it was informed at about 10.30am that the container vessel LOBIVIA was hit while transiting the Gulf of Aden, resulting in a fire onboard that was subsequently extinguished by the crew.
There are no Singaporeans among the crew, who are all accounted for and safe, the authority said.
Despite being hit, the LOBIVIA was able to set sail and had arrived at Somalia’s Berbera Port. Damage assessment and repairs, if needed, will be carried out.
MPA said it is in contact with the vessel manager of the LOBIVIA to provide any assistance required, adding that the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has also alerted its security partners in the Gulf of Aden region to provide any required assistance.
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, the LOBIVIA was hit about 83 nautical miles (154km) southeast of the port city of Aden, Yemen.
“The ship was transiting northeast along the Gulf of Aden when a merchant vessel in the vicinity observed ‘light and blast’ where the ship was located,” British security firm Ambrey added.
Ambrey said the ship appeared to perform evasive manoeuvres immediately and switched off its automatic identification system approximately an hour later.
It assessed the LOBIVIA to be aligned with the target profile favoured by Houthi militants.
Since November, Houthi militants in Yemen have launched drone and missile strikes in shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The group has said its actions are in solidarity with Palestinians affected by Israel’s war in Gaza.
Britain and the US have conducted retaliatory strikes since February, shooting down drones and bombing attack sites in Yemen.
