On Tuesday, August 11, a cargo ship named Tihamah, en route through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off Yemen, was attacked by three consecutive ballistic missiles. The incident resulted in six fatalities—four crew members and two rescue team members from the Yemeni coastguard.
Details of the Attack
The 2024-built, Tanzania-flagged Tihamah (IMO: 1031329) was hit while transiting through the strategically vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Yemeni Ministry of Transport confirmed that the attack was carried out by the Houthi group. According to Lloyd's List, the incident occurred in international waters, but its location was near Al Mokha, Yemen.
The Yemeni coastguard reported that two members of the 2nd Naval Brigade were killed while attending the vessel and conducting search and rescue operations when a missile struck during their intervention. Additionally, three Pakistani nationals and one Indonesian crew member lost their lives on board Tihamah due to the initial attack. Lloyd's List also noted that a drone with explosives was spotted approaching the ship shortly after the first attack but was intercepted by the National Resistance Forces.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez strongly condemned the incident, stating it "is particularly troublesome that the most recent attack has taken place in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden area." He urged shipowners and operators to reassess their risk assessments before transiting these regions and emphasized the importance of following best management practices.
Impact on Maritime Trade
The deaths have led to heightened concerns among carriers about rerouting services through alternative routes, such as via the Suez Canal. According to gCaptain, this could delay moves that had been steadily routing more services through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Further complicating matters is the ongoing threat of piracy in the region, which has led to seafarer safety becoming a focal point for many maritime organizations and governments. The IMO's call for "the immediate and unconditional release" of seafarers still held captive following piracy attacks underscores the vulnerability faced by crew members.
These developments highlight the ongoing security challenges facing international shipping in the Red Sea region, which could impact trade flows and operational decisions for ship operators.