Netherlands-flagged cargo ship reportedly attacked near Yemen’s Aden
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Netherlands-flagged cargo ship MinervaGracht was reportedly hit by an explosive device near Yemen’s Aden, sustaining major damage.
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Netherlands-flagged vessel MinervaGracht sailing in Elsfleth, Germany, July 10, 2023 (Bernd U/shipspotting.com)
A Netherlands-flagged cargo vessel sustained significant damage after being struck by an explosive device in the Gulf of Aden, the ship’s operator confirmed on Monday.
The general cargo ship, MinervaGracht, was reportedly hit approximately 120 nautical miles southeast of Yemen’s port city of Aden. British maritime security firm Ambrey and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) both reported that the vessel caught fire following the incident.
According to the operator, two crew members were injured in the blast, and the remaining crew is currently being evacuated to nearby vessels. The extent of the injuries was not immediately disclosed.
The UKMTO reported that military authorities confirmed the vessel was hit by an unknown projectile about 128 nautical miles off the Yemeni coast. Smoke was observed in the area, and the ship’s master reported seeing a splash in the distance around the time of the incident.
Ambrey noted that the vessel was not transmitting its Automatic Identification System (AIS) signal at the time it was struck. The MinervaGracht had also been targeted on September 23 while en route to Djibouti, according to Ambrey, which reported a similar splash and sound of an explosion 120 nautical miles east of Aden.
Neither UKMTO nor Ambrey has identified the party responsible for the attack. An investigation is underway.
