Houthi attempt to attack a Greek-flagged ship in the Gulf of Aden

A total of 25 people in the crew, five of them Greek, all in good health

A US-owned dry cargo ship flying the Greek flag has requested military assistance, stating that it was “under missile attack” some 93 miles east of the Yemeni city of Aden, the British shipping safety company Ambrey announced.

According to the British company, the crew is unharmed.

He added that the ship’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) was transmitting at the time that the ship had loaded cargo from the Punta Alvear terminal in Argentina.

According to TradeWinds, the description and location of the ship matches the 48,900 dwt Sea Champion (built in 2005).

The ship is operated by Mega Shipping Line Corp, a New York-based company with Greek-American interests.

Crew abandon ship off Yemen as Houthis claim new missile attack

The crew of a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Aden abandoned ship after an attack claimed by Yemen's rebel Houthi movement, authorities say.

A Houthi military spokesman said the Belize-flagged, British-registered cargo ship Rubymar was at risk of sinking after being hit by missiles.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said an unnamed ship was abandoned off Yemen after being damaged by a blast.

Lloyd's List Intelligence reported that the Rubymar was hit by two missiles.

The Iran-backed Houthis have launched dozens of missile and drone attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since mid-November, in what they say is a show of support for the Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The attacks have prompted many shipping companies to stop using the critical waterway, which accounts for about 12% of global seaborne trade.

US and British forces began carrying out air strikes on targets across Houthi-controlled western Yemen in response last month.

On Sunday night, UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it had received a report of an incident from a ship about 35 nautical miles (65km) south of the Yemeni Red Sea port of Mocha.

The master had reported "an explosion in close proximity to the vessel resulting in damage" at about 23:00 local time (20:00 GMT), it added.

Early on Monday, the agency cited military authorities as reporting that the crew abandoned the vessel following an attack.

"Vessel at anchor and all crew are safe," it said. "Military authorities remain on scene to provide assistance."

British maritime security firm Ambrey separately reported that a Belize-flagged, British-registered and Lebanese-operated cargo ship had come under attack in the Bab al-Mandab Strait on Sunday as it sailed northwards.

"The partially laden vessel briefly slowed from 10 to six knots and deviated course, and contacted the Djiboutian Navy, before returning to her previous course and speed," it said.

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