A bulk carrier owned by US-based Eagle Bulk Shipping has been struck by a missile in the Gulf of Aden.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), and maritime security consultants Ambrey said the incident occurred some 95 nautical miles southeast of Aden, Yemen.
The US Central Command identified the vessel as the Marshall Islands-flagged Gibraltar Eagle, describing it as a “US-owned and operated containership”.
, describing it as a “US-owned and operated containership”.The vessel was initially transiting in the westbound lane of the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) en route to the Suez Canal.
According to UKMTO, no injuries or significant damage have been reported, and the 2015-built ultramax, ex-Stony Stream, is continuing to its next port of call.
Ambrey has corroborated that the bulker was impacted in hold number 5, adding that a total of three missiles were reportedly launched by the Houthis, with two not reaching the sea and one impacting the 64,000 dwt bulker.
Ambrey assessed the attack to have targeted US interests in response to US military strikes on Houthi military positions in Yemen, the company said in a note Monday.
The vessel arrived in the Gulf of Aden after industry and military advice to avoid the southern Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait for 72 hours following US and UK strikes on Houthi militants last week.
In a statement on Monday, Eagle Bulk confirmed the vessel was hit by an unidentified projectile while approximately 100 miles (161 km) offshore in the Gulf of Aden. “As a result of the impact, the vessel suffered limited damage to a cargo hold but is stable and is heading out of the area. All seafarers on board the vessel are confirmed to be uninjured. The vessel is carrying a cargo of steel products. Eagle Bulk management is in close contact with all relevant authorities concerning this matter,” the company said.
