Overview

• Spliethoff identified the vessel as the Minervagracht and said an unidentified explosive device caused substantial damage, injuring two sailors as a helicopter evacuated all 19 crew.
• UK Maritime Trade Operations reported the ship was hit by an unknown projectile about 128 nautical miles from Aden, with smoke observed and the master reporting a distant splash.
• EU mission Aspides said the ship is on fire and adrift and noted the crew includes nationals from Russia, Ukraine, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.
• Security firm Ambrey said the vessel was not transmitting its AIS at the time of the strike and had been targeted previously on September 23 while en route to Djibouti.
• No group has claimed responsibility, though France’s maritime information center linked the incident to prior Houthi targeting as authorities note the rebels often delay claims.