A BULKER owned by US-based and listed Genco Shipping was hit by a projectile on Wednesday, the third successful strike on commercial ships in as many days.

A company representative said Genco Picardy (IMO: 9301720) was attacked in the Gulf of Aden and that all seafarers are confirmed uninjured.

“At approximately 2030 hrs local time today, Genco Picardy was impacted by an unidentified projectile while transiting through the Gulf of Aden laden with a cargo of phosphate rock,” they said.

“An initial inspection by the crew indicates that damage to the vessel’s gangway is limited, and the vessel has remained stable and underway on a course out of the area.”

A Houthi spokesperson said on social media platform X that Genco Picardy was hit with “several of adequate naval missiles”. A UKMTO alert published several hours earlier said an unnamed vessel was struck in the Gulf of Aden by a drone.

Genco Picardy’s last Automatic Identification System signal was broadcast northwest of Jazan, Saudi Arabia on January 15, Lloyd’s List Intelligence data shows. The vessel was heading south in the Red Sea the day prior before making a sharp turn and reversing course. Its signal went dark east of Tokar, Sudan. AIS data suggests it was heading to India.

The attack comes hours after the US redesignated the Houthis as a terrorist group, and is the second against a US-owned vessel this week. An Eagle Bulk vessel, Gibraltar Eagle (IMO: 9702508), was hit by an anti-ballistic ship missile on Monday.

The US said it will “immediately re-evaluate” the designation if the Houthis stop their attacks, but the Houthis thus far appear underrated by both strikes and sanctions.

On Tuesday, the US struck four missiles that Pentagon press secretary General Pat Ryder told reporters were “ready to launch”.

Hours later, the Houthis struck the Greece-owned Zografia (IMO: 9486013), also using an anti-ship ballistic missile.

No injuries to crew or significant damage were reported in the attacks on Gibraltar Eagle and Zografia.