More Shipping Companies Pause Red Sea Journeys as Another Tanker Comes under Attack
More shipping companies announced pausing journeys in the Red Sea as a Norwegian-owned vessel was attacked in the Red Sea on Monday in a strike that US officials said originated from Yemeni territory.
The attack on the M/V Swan Atlantic was the latest in a series on ships sailing the sea since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility but the US officials, who did not want to be identified, told Reuters the vessel was attacked by multiple projectiles launched from territory controlled by Yemen’s Houthis, referring to revolutionary forces in the Arab impoverished country.
The owner of the ship said it was hit by an unidentified object, claiming that none of its crew had been injured.
Oystein Elgan, chief executive of owner Inventor Chemical Tankers, told Reuters the ship’s water tank had been damaged in the attack but all the vessel’s systems were operating normally.
Operator Uni-Tankers said in a statement the crew had brought under control a small fire after the vessel was struck on its port side. The ship was carrying vegetable oils and is sailing to Reunion Island.
Yemeni Armed Forces have, in the recent weeks, staged several attacks on vessels in the Rea Sea heading towards the occupied territories. The attacks have been in solidarity with the Palestinian people and resistance who have been under brutal aggression by the Israeli occupation since October 7th.
Shipping Pause
Meanwhile on Monday, Global energy producer BP on Monday announced putting on pause all oil tankers transfers in the Red Sea citing the security in the region.
