Houthis Again Stage Multiple Attacks on Greek-Owned Delta Tanker

In a troubling development, reports indicate that a crude oil tanker operated by Delta Tankers of Greece has been targeted by suspected Houthi militants for the second time in less than a week. The militants reportedly made several attempts to strike the vessel, although they ultimately failed. While the Houthis have not yet issued a statement regarding these incidents, security experts speculate that the attacks may be linked to the company’s connections with Israel.

The most recent series of attacks began shortly after midnight local time and persisted for over four hours. According to reports from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), three separate attacks and one suspicious approach were directed at the vessel, later identified by the Joint Maritime Information Center as the Delta Atlantica. This Liberian-flagged crude oil tanker had recently departed Iraq and was en route to Greece, heavily laden with its cargo.

The government has unveiled its Navy of the future. Will it solve our current problems – or just create new ones?

The sequence of events started with an explosion near the Delta Atlantica while it was approximately 63 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah. The vessel’s master reported a suspicious approach by a small boat, followed by a second explosion in close proximity about an hour and a half later. A further attack was reported involving an uncrewed surface vessel, which was reportedly neutralized, although details remain unclear.

This is not the first time Delta Tankers has been targeted; just last week, another of their vessels, the Delta Blue, was subjected to four attacks while transiting the Red Sea. Despite the escalation in hostility, the Delta Blue managed to navigate the Suez Canal without sustaining damage.

The recent attacks reflect a concerning trend, with the Houthis appearing to shift their tactics. While previously they might have fired multiple times at the same vessel, they now seem to pursue targets over longer distances and employ varied methods of attack. This escalation in maritime aggression raises significant concerns for the safety of vessels operating in the region.