An update from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported an incident involving a Marshall Islands-flagged Tanker, MARLIN LUANDA (IMO: 9829899), being hit by a missile approximately 60NM Southeast of Aden, Yemen in the Gulf of Aden after transiting the Red Sea. The vessel was still ablaze at the last report, with coalition warships, including the US destroyer USS Carney (DDG-64), on the scene providing support. Firefighting equipment on board was reportedly being deployed to suppress and control the fire caused in one cargo tank on the starboard side.
All crew members are reported to be safe.
Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, stating they had fired on the tanker in response to the “American-British aggression against our country [Yemen]” and in support of the Palestinian people.
The vessel is reportedly owned by Oceonix Services, and operated by commodities group Trafigura, which has offices in the UK. The UK government has stated Britain and its allies “reserve the right to respond appropriately."
US Central Command (CENTCOM) has stated that MARLIN LUANDA issued a distress call and reported damage after militants fired an anti-ship ballistic missile from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.
NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) on Friday detected a continuing blaze in the middle of the Gulf of Aden near the last known location of the MARLIN LUANDA.
CENTCOM stated that earlier in the day, the USS Carney was targeted by and had shot down a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile, and there were no injuries as a result of the attack on the USS Carney.
Vessels in the area are advised to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activities to the UKMTO.
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