Houthi rebels chased a single bulker for hours, launching multiple unsuccessful attacks on the vessel in what appears to be a shift in the group’s modus operandi this week.
The group took responsibility for the attacks on Thursday, accusing the owners of the SW North Wind (55 989 dwt) of violating its bans on association with Israel and of calling at the country’s ports. The bulker was recently bought by Greek-owned company Sea World Management, which manages a fleet of more than 30 vessels from its offices in Monaco.
According to UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the first report of an attack was received when the bulker was 57 nautical miles south of Aden, Yemen. The vessel’s master reported two explosions in the water nearby, and according to maritime security consultancy Vanguard and UKMTO, there were three further explosions over the next few hours. The vessel was unscathed and continued on its journey.
It then sailed via Bab al-Mandeb, and while it was west of Hodeidah, the rebels launched another bomb attack, this time from an unmanned bomb boat. The explosion hit the water close to the ship but no significant damage was incurred and the vessel continued on her way northward.
Sea World Management also manages the product tanker Bentley that was targeted in July when the Houthis launched multiple attacks using drone boats, unmanned aerial vehicles, and ballistic missiles. However, these attacks were also unsuccessful and the vessel continued on her journey.
SW North Wind is registered in Panama and began its current journey in Korea.
According to UKMTO, there have been 111 attacks on vessels in the region this year.
