A Dutch-flagged general cargo ship, the MV Minervagracht, is on fire and adrift in the Gulf of Aden following an attack on Monday that prompted the helicopter evacuation of its 19 crew members.
The EU Naval Force Aspides (Eunavor Aspides) reported that the incident had occurred southeast of Aden.
"On September 29 at 10:22 UTC (12.22 South African Standard Time), the MV Minervagracht, which had not asked for Eunavor Aspides protection, came under attack 128 nautical miles southeast of the Port of Aden. As a result of the attack, the MV Minervagracht is on fire and adrift,” said Eunavor Aspides.
The vessel's Amsterdam-based operator, Spliethoff, confirmed that the ship had been struck by an unidentified explosive device in international waters, inflicting substantial damage and starting a fire. Military authorities reported that a vessel had been hit by an unknown projectile, with the vessel on fire.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued an alert for the attack.
"UKMTO has received a report of an incident 128NM (nautical miles) southeast of Aden. The Master reports witnessing a splash and smoke in the distance, astern of the vessel. Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO," the alert said.
Eunavor Aspides initiated a rescue operation under the Safety of Life at Sea (Solas) convention after receiving a distress call from the master.
"Upon receipt of an urgent distress request from the vessel’s master, Eunavor Aspides initiated an immediate response to save all 19 crew members, among which are two seriously wounded. The Solas operation is ongoing," said Eunavor Aspides.
The crew consists of Russian, Ukrainian, Filipino and Sri Lankan nationals. One crew member was wounded and is in a stable condition, while another was seriously injured and transported to Djibouti for medical care.
Eunavor Aspides said the vessel now posed a risk to traffic in the region.
"MV Minervagracht now represents a navigational hazard. It is essential that everyone in the area exercises caution and refrains from any actions that could lead to a deterioration of the current situation," the naval force said.
The attack has raised concerns about maritime safety in the region.
"These kinds of attacks pose not only a threat against the Freedom of Navigation but also to the seafarers’ lives and subsequently to the life of all citizens living in that region. Eunavor Aspides affirms its commitment to the protection of human life at sea and to contribute to the freedom on the high seas,” it said.
Eunavor Aspides said it was working in coordination with European and regional authorities “continuously assessing the situation and stands ready to facilitate any courses of action”.
“Successful mitigation will require close coordination and active participation of all regional states," it said.
The Minervagracht was previously targeted on September 23, while en route to Djibouti, according to British security firm Ambrey. That attempt was unsuccessful.
If it is confirmed the attack was carried out by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis, this would mark their first attack on a commercial ship since September 1 when they targeted the Israeli-owned tanker Scarlet Ray near Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port in the Red Sea.
In July 2025, the Houthis attacked and sank the Magic Seas bulk carrier and the Eternity C cargo ship in the Red Sea. The last significant Houthi attack in the Gulf of Aden was on the Singapore-flagged Lobivia container ship in July 2024.
The Houthis have launched missile and drone attacks on over 100 ships since 2023 in response to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, targeting vessels they deem linked to Israel. However, the US Navy-overseen Joint Maritime Information Center said the Minervagracht had no Israeli affiliations.
The last recorded Houthi attack on a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Aden was in August 2024.
