YEMEN's Houthi forces missile has struck a tanker off Aden in Red Sea forcing its crew to abandon the vessel, reports CNBC News.
'The ship suffered catastrophic damage and came to a complete halt,' said Houthi spokesman Yahya Sare'e. 'As a result of the extensive damage the ship suffered, it is now at risk of sinking.'
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on social media they received a report of a vessel attack in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off Yemen's coast, adding that the crew had abandoned the ship.
'Vessel at anchor and all crew are safe,' they said, of the 69,599-dwt Marshall Islands-flagged Seaways Rubymar, though has also been known to fly the flag of Belize.
Houthi forces have previously said they are targeting Israeli, British and US tankers exclusively, however they have been known to carry out hostilities toward other ships.
The Rubymar was bound from Saudi port Ras al-Khair to Varna, Bulgaria, according to MarineTraffic.com data.
CNBC was not able to independently verify the ship's status. Global maritime risk expert Ambrey Analytics told CNBC by email that the vessel was still afloat.
'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,' Ambrey Analytics said in a private note to clients, adding that it received 'reports ahead of the incident of at least three missiles observed in flight towards the Bab el-Mandeb.'
Mounting attacks by the Houthis, which support Palestinians Israel's campaign against Hamas in Gaza, have crippled marine traffic through the Red Sea, which accounts for roughly 12 per cent of global maritime transit.
SeaNews Turkey
'The ship suffered catastrophic damage and came to a complete halt,' said Houthi spokesman Yahya Sare'e. 'As a result of the extensive damage the ship suffered, it is now at risk of sinking.'
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on social media they received a report of a vessel attack in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off Yemen's coast, adding that the crew had abandoned the ship.
'Vessel at anchor and all crew are safe,' they said, of the 69,599-dwt Marshall Islands-flagged Seaways Rubymar, though has also been known to fly the flag of Belize.
Houthi forces have previously said they are targeting Israeli, British and US tankers exclusively, however they have been known to carry out hostilities toward other ships.
The Rubymar was bound from Saudi port Ras al-Khair to Varna, Bulgaria, according to MarineTraffic.com data.
CNBC was not able to independently verify the ship's status. Global maritime risk expert Ambrey Analytics told CNBC by email that the vessel was still afloat.
'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,' Ambrey Analytics said in a private note to clients, adding that it received 'reports ahead of the incident of at least three missiles observed in flight towards the Bab el-Mandeb.'
Mounting attacks by the Houthis, which support Palestinians Israel's campaign against Hamas in Gaza, have crippled marine traffic through the Red Sea, which accounts for roughly 12 per cent of global maritime transit.
SeaNews Turkey
