Another ship has sunk in the Red Sea after an attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, according to reports.
The Eternity C, a Liberian-flagged and Greek-operated cargo ship, lost three of its crew while several more were abducted by the Houthis, the BBC has reported. Three members of the ship’s company have been killed.
The Philippines has announced that 21 of those on board were citizens, while Russia has stated that one of its citizens, serving as a crew member, lost a leg in the attack. The US’ Yemeni embassy, meanwhile, confirmed that the Houthis had "kidnapped many surviving crew members".
‘Unprecedented scale’
It follows an attack earlier this week on another Liberian-flagged and Greek-operated ship, the Magic Seas. As we noted in our State of Freight feature, all crew in that attack were reported safe after being rescued by a passing vessel.
The Houthis justified that attack by arguing that the ship belonged “to a company that violated the entry ban to the ports of occupied Palestine”. They have yet to formally claim responsibility for the second attack.
Josh Hutchinson, managing director of risk and intelligence at Ambrey, told us that the recent attacks were at an “unprecedented scale” compared to those mounted by the Houthis in the past.
The Chartered Institute perspective
Marco Forgione, director general of the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, said the fresh attacks were a “tragic escalation”:
"The targeting of innocent mariners has shaken global shipping to its core. These aren’t military strikes; the Houthis have hit commercial vessels which supply the world. Lives have been lost, and this major trade route is even more dangerous now. After nearly 600 days of disruption supply chains are stretched thin.
“The ongoing diversion round the Cape of Good Hope means longer journeys, higher costs and more uncertainty. For small and medium exporters, that’s a real problem. They’re already juggling inflation, rising fuel costs and tough margins. Now they’re dealing with delays to everything from car parts to household essentials.
“We urgently need safe passage restored. These trade routes keep food, medicine and energy moving across the world. Our members and the integrated global supply chain need a return to peaceful, safe and secure trade routes.”
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