Vessel takes on water after missile strike off Yemen

A bulk carrier took on water and tilted to one side after suffering damage in a missile attack off the Yemeni coast.

Maritime security consultancy Ambrey said the ship issued a distress call stating its cargo hold was damaged and was taking on water after being targeted by three missiles.

The incident took place some 54 nautical miles southwest of Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah.

“According to the distress call, the vessel was listing,” Ambrey said.

Initial reports from Greek media, citing the Coast Guard, suggest the vessel to be Marshall Islands-flagged kamsarmax Laax. The 82,300 dwt ship is run by Grehel Shipmanagement and was heading to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility by Houthi militants, who earlier this year struck the Belize-registered bulk carrier Rubymar, which later sank in the Red Sea, becoming the first vessel lost since the attacks began on commercial shipping in November.