us-confirms-missile-strike-on-panamanian-flagged-vessel-bound-for-india-in-red-sea-houthis-claim-responsibility

A Panamanian-flagged oil tanker carrying crude oil to India was struck by a missile in the Red Sea on Friday, raising concerns about regional security and potential disruptions to global trade. The United States confirmed the attack, condemning it as another example of unlawful assaults on international shipping.

 

Earlier that day, both the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency and the British maritime security business Ambrey claimed that a Panama-flagged tanker was attacked about 72 nautical miles (133 kilometers) northwest of the port of Mokha, off Yemen. 

 

Ambrey reported that the vessel, designated as the M/T Pollux, incurred minimal damage and that the crew was unharmed. Adding, "The vessel reportedly suffered little damage. "The crew was reported safe and unharmed," Ambrey added.

 

"This is yet another instance of the arbitrary attacks on shipping worldwide, which continue after repeated joint and multilateral declarations calling the Houthis to cease," a representative for the State Department said.

 

A State Department official denounced the attack as another example of illegal attacks on foreign vessels.

 

Despite several demands for the Houthis to stop such operations, attacks on vessels continue.

 

On January 24, the M/T Pollux set sail from Novorossiysk, a Black Sea port in Russia.

 

Its last destination was the Indian port of Paradip, where it was due to release its crude oil cargo on February 28.

 

 The Indian Oil Company owns an oil refinery in Paradip, which has a refining capacity of 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) and is located in eastern Odisha.

 

According to LSEG records, Oceanfront Maritime Co SA owns the M/T Pollux, which is operated by Sea Trade Marine SA.

 

Representatives of these companies have yet to reply to requests for comment on the incident.

 

Ambrey also reported that another vessel three nautical miles northeast of the M/T Pollux changed direction to port, moving away from the tanker after the missile strike.

 

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for the strike, vowing that they will continue to target ships in the Red Sea in sympathy with the Palestinians.

 

Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi stressed the impact of their operations on their foes and declared their activities to be successful.

 

The attacks on ships in the Red Sea have generated concerns about global trade disruptions and inflation.

 

Furthermore, there are rising concerns that the war between Israel and Hamas would worsen, jeopardizing regional marine security.

 

Houthis have claimed, that they will continue their attacks in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians, till the ceasefire is not announced.