Red Sea crisis escalates as crew evacuate bulk carrier

The bulk carrier Magic Seas, flying the Liberian flag and owned by a Greek company, sustained severe damage during a coordinated maritime attack off Yemen’s coast on Sunday. This incident marks the first Houthi attack on merchant vessels in 2023, jeopardizing the anticipated resurgence of global shipping through the Suez Canal. Fortunately, all crew members were rescued after the ship was struck by multiple sea drones.

Details of the Attack

The assault occurred approximately 52 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah, a key port in western Yemen. The attack unfolded in stages, beginning with eight small boats firing gunshots and rocket-propelled grenades at the Magic Seas. Following this initial barrage, four unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) launched strikes against the vessel. Reports indicate that two of the drones hit the port side, causing extensive damage to the cargo and igniting a fire onboard.

While no group initially claimed responsibility for the attack, maritime security firm Ambrey attributed it to the Houthis, consistent with their established target profile. Subsequently, the Yemeni militia confirmed their involvement through a statement on their Al Ansar Telegram channel. “Four naval drones attacked a ship,” the Houthis stated, noting that the vessel met their criteria for targeting, specifically highlighting the damage caused by the drones.

This attack raises concerns about the fragility of a ceasefire agreement established in May, which was intended to halt hostilities in the region. Under this agreement, the Trump administration had paused U.S. military actions against Houthi positions after the group assured it would not disrupt commercial shipping in critical Middle East waterways.

Israel Strikes Houthi Targets in Ports, Airport, and Power Stations

Following the drone strikes, the crew of the Magic Seas was forced to abandon ship as it began taking on water and lost propulsion. A private armed security team onboard attempted to repel the initial assault but was unable to prevent the subsequent drone attacks.

Wider Context and Implications

This incident occurs amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly following the Israel-Iran conflict and U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June. The Houthis had previously threatened to resume attacks on U.S. shipping should Washington escalate its involvement in regional hostilities. However, it remains uncertain whether this attack signifies a full return to hostilities or is part of a broader asymmetric warfare strategy.

In response to increasing Houthi aggression, Israel has conducted airstrikes against Houthi-controlled ports in Yemen, targeting vessels such as the Galaxy Leader, a Japanese-owned car carrier seized by the Houthis over 20 months ago. Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched over 100 attacks on commercial shipping, resulting in the sinking of two vessels, the seizure of one, and the deaths of at least four seafarers. These actions have disrupted global trade routes, forcing major shipping companies to reroute their vessels around the Cape of Good Hope.

Prior to the Magic Seas incident, the last confirmed Houthi attack on a merchant ship occurred on December 26, 2024, when the MSC United VIII was targeted by a naval missile in the Red Sea. The recent escalation of hostilities underscores the ongoing challenges faced by maritime security in the region.