Post by : Naveen Mittal

Dutch Cargo Ship Ablaze and Adrift After Explosive Attack Near Yemen

A Dutch-flagged general cargo ship, named Minervagracht, was struck by an unknown explosive device while sailing in international waters of the Gulf of Aden. The blast caused a fire aboard and left the vessel drifting, prompting a full crew evacuation.

The ship’s operator reported that the vessel was approximately 128 nautical miles southeast of Yemen’s port of Aden when the attack occurred. Two crew members were injured—one in stable condition and another seriously—and all 19 crew members were airlifted by helicopter to nearby rescue vessels.

According to the EU maritime mission Aspides, the ship is now ablaze and adrift; the crew had not sought protection prior to the strike. The nationalities aboard included Russians, Ukrainians, Filipinos and Sri Lankans.

It is not yet confirmed who was responsible for the attack. Speculation has turned to Yemen’s Houthi rebels, given their record of maritime assaults in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in recent years. The Houthis often justify such strikes as acts of solidarity with Palestinians over the ongoing Gaza war.

If confirmed as a Houthi attack, this would mark one of the more severe assaults on a commercial vessel in this stretch of sea in recent months. The ship had previously come under attempted attack days earlier while en route to Djibouti.

This incident underscores mounting risks for ships traversing Red Sea and Gulf of Aden routes, vital arteries for global trade. Many maritime firms are already changing courses to avoid hazardous zones.

Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available media and reporting. It does not represent original on-site journalism, and its contents may evolve as further facts emerge.

Netherlands, cargo ship, Gulf of Aden, Yemen, maritime attack, shipping security, Houthi risk