British oil tanker on fire in Red Sea after Houthi missile attack

26 January 2024 , 21:08

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Marlin Luanda is owned by UK-based Oceonix Services (file image) (Image: https://twitter.com/GlobeEyeNews/status/1750966581553955256/photo/1)

A British oil tanker is on fire after another Houthi attack in the Red Sea.

The vessel, called Marlin Luanda, on charter to trading giant Trafigura was allegedly targeted by Yemen naval forces. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said: "‏Yemeni naval forces carried out a targeting operation on the British oil ship Marlin Luanda in the Gulf of Aden, using a number of appropriate naval missiles... The strike was direct, and resulted [in] the burning of the vessel."

A Trafigura spokesperson confirmed that the product carrier, which the company operates, was hit by a Houthi missile. The spokesperson said: "Firefighting equipment on board is being deployed to suppress and control the fire caused in one cargo tank on the starboard side. The safety of the crew is our foremost priority. We remain in contact with the vessel and are monitoring the situation carefully."

Warships are on their way to provide assistance. The spokesperson said: "No other vessels operated on behalf of Trafigura are currently transiting the Red Sea."

Confirmation of the attack emerged after UK Maritime Trade Operations and two maritime security firms said a merchant ship caught fire in an attack by a Houthi missile about 55 nautical miles (102 km) southeast of the Yemeni port of Aden. Ambrey Analytics and Diaplous Group said crew members on the vessel are safe.

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Since November, the Iran-backed Houthis have launched dozens of attacks on commercial vessels travelling through the Red Sea, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel is fighting Hamas.

The US and UK have launched air strikes on the group in response to its attacks, prompting the Houthis to warn they would increase their attacks on shipping. The UK and US are also targeting the Iran-backed militant group with sanctions to cut of its financial resources.

Friday also saw the USS Carney, a destroyer operating in the Gulf of Aden, shoot down an anti-ship ballistic missile that was fired in its direction from Houthi-controlled territory of Yemen

Bradley Jolly