Prominent groups in the shipping sector called – today, Wednesday – for urgent measures to be taken in the Red Sea to stop attacks by the Yemeni Houthi group on commercial ships, after a second ship sank.
Last November, the Houthi group began targeting ships heading to Israel in the Red Sea with drones and missiles, expanding the repercussions of the aggression on the Gaza Strip. The targeting circle expanded after the United States formed a coalition to stop naval attacks, so the Houthis targeted American and British ships.
A joint statement from the world’s largest shipping sector unions said: “It is unfortunate that innocent seafarers are being attacked, while they are only performing their vital functions that keep the world warm and provide it with food and clothing.”
invitation
The statement added, “These attacks must stop immediately, and we call on the countries with influence in the region to protect our innocent sailors and to quickly calm the situation in the Red Sea.”
Rescue workers confirmed – today, Wednesday – that the coal tanker (Totor), owned by a Greek company, sank after it was targeted in the Red Sea by the Houthi group last week.
The sources reported that the ship was targeted using missiles and a booby-trapped drone boat.
International naval forces have been deployed to defend ships still sailing through the Red Sea, but attacks have increased at a marked rate.
Sources in the insurance sector reported today that there are also growing concerns about the Houthis’ use of attack drone boats.
Reuters quoted a source as saying: “It is more difficult to confront and is likely more deadly because it targets ships from below.”
He added, “The missiles have, until now, mainly caused damage to the decks and superstructures of ships.”
Monroe Anderson, head of operations at Vessel Protect, which specializes in insurance and maritime war risks, said that the Houthis have launched 10 attacks since the beginning of this June, compared to 5 attacks last May.
It is noteworthy that the British-owned ship Rubymar was the first ship sunk by the Houthis, and sank on March 2, about two weeks after it was subjected to a missile attack.
Drone boats
He added: “The first successful use of a drone boat represents a new challenge for commercial shipping in an already complex environment.”
The sources suggested that insurance costs would rise after the sinking of a second ship and the resulting losses, which would lead to additional costs of hundreds of thousands of dollars for each trip.
Secretary-General of the International Transport Workers’ Federation, Stephen Cotton, said that the best way to protect seafarers is for ships to divert their course and circle around the continent of Africa.
He added: “We also welcome ships being escorted and protected by naval forces, which will reduce the risk of ships being targeted.”
