Houthis go after Greek tonnage
Source: Splash247
After the Panama-flagged bulk carrier SW North Wind I was attacked several times on Wednesday, the vessel came under fire again on Thursday morning.
According to security firm Vanguard, the 55,989 dwt bulk carrier came under attack four separate times in a short period in the Gulf of Aden and the southern Red Sea.
The vessel first reported two explosions in the water in close proximity to the vessel 105 km south of Aden at 11:44 am local time on August 21.
SW North Star I, owned and managed by Sea World Management, then reported another explosion 500 m next to the ship at 2:17 pm local time, and a further two explosions near the vessel later that day. Also on Wednesday, the tanker Sounion was attacked four times.
The bulker was attacked again today by an unmanned surface vessel (USV) while being followed by two skiffs with armed men onboard around 8 am local time.
The armed security team onboard fired multiple shots at the USV but was unable to neutralise it. The USV rammed the vessel on its portside beam, and a small explosion occurred.
Vanguard said that minor damage was reported to the hull of the vessel but was not breached and that all crew members were reported safe. The bulker has requested assistance from naval vessels in the area.
Ambrey, another security firm, noted that the vessel stopped transmitting an AIS signal before entering the western Gulf of Aden. The company also advised merchant shipping vessels to maintain a safe distance of five nautical miles from vessels transiting without an AIS signal and to report any unusual or suspicious activity.
This is not the first time a vessel linked to Sea World Management was targeted. Another Sea World-linked vessel, the Bentley I, was attacked by the Houthis in July 2024. It happened on the same day as the attack on the Chios Lion.
The original article: belongs to Splash247 .
