Fire breaks out on cargoship after further Red Sea missile strike
General cargoship Verbena was hit by two projectiles east of Aden
Security sources said at least one seafarer injured in attack and a US vessel is en route to help
A SECOND attack off the coast of Yemen in two days has left one seafarer injured and sparked a fire on board a cargoship transiting the Gulf of Aden.
The vessel has not been named publicly, but Lloyd’s List understands it to be Palau-flagged, 2008-built, 11,402 dwt, general cargoship Verbena (IMO: 9522075).
Verbena was travelling to Venice, Italy, from Songkhla, Thailand, when it was hit by two projectiles 98 nautical miles east of Aden, Yemen, at 1000 hrs.
UK Maritime Trade Operations said the attack resulted in a fire on board, and EU Naval Force Operation Atalanta has confirmed one person was wounded.
A US vessel is en route to help Verbena and intends to transport the wounded seafarer to safety.
The cargoship is owned by Ukraine-based Donbasstransitservice. Two other vessels owned by the company, general cargoships Bellis (IMO: 9381952) and Maranta (IMO: 9206669), have recently called at Israeli ports Haifa and Ashdod respectively.
Iran-backed rebel group the Houthis haven’t yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but have vowed to attack vessels that call at Israeli ports or owned by companies that do.
The attack on Verbena follows yesterday’s hit on bulk carrier Tutor, which is still unable to manoeuvre in the Red Sea and is being assisted by a EUNAVFOR vessel.
