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Two more MSC ships targeted by the Houthis

Two more boxships belonging to Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) were attacked by the Houthis yesterday with Splash estimates now suggesting the number of merchant ships targeted in the region since November last year is closing in on 100 ships. 

The MSC Gina and MSC Diego – both around 4,000 teu in size – were targeted, although there were no reports of damage. The MSC Gina was subjected to a similar attack by the Houthis on April 7. 

Meanwhile, the owners of the Galaxy Leader, a car carrier abducted with its crew more than 160 days ago, have urged the Houthis to free the crew. “Sadly, the crew seem now forgotten by the outside world and are serving no purpose whatsoever in furthering the Houthis cause, so once again the call is going out, asking the Houti leadership to be human, and release the 25 crew members being held for no good cause, so they can return to their loved ones,” a statement from the ship’s owner read. 

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a pro-Israel American think tank, has been tallying all merchant ship attacks over the past seven months (see map below).

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.

Comments

  1. The west is at the mercy of Houthis, their technology and power is a myth, totally exposed.

  2. This is ridiculous, the Houthis are just a bunch of peasants with some money and guns

    They must have good support or either Maersk and the big players have some deals with US & governments.

    Obviously they make good money with this new shift in the shipping industry

    Otherwise the houthis can be destroyed in 2 hours…if they want…for sure they don’t want then, perhaps Iran will be angry as well but why they care so much about this rebels

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