Join 150K Subscribers

Weekly insights & expert articles on supply chain, shipping, and international trade.
Last week another, 812 people joined our community

Your Global Trade Knowledgebase

Guides, How-to’s, Downloads and Resources to help you
succeed in Global Trade.
Home » Global Trade News » Vessel Still Afloat Despite Houthi Claims of Sinking
Last updated on February 22, 2024 by Ben Thompson

Vessel Still Afloat Despite Houthi Claims of Sinking

The Rubymar, a Belize-flagged and British-registered cargo ship operated by Lebanon’s Blue Fleet Group, was subjected to a missile attack by Iran-backed Houthi rebels while carrying combustible fertilizer. Despite sustaining significant damage in the Gulf of Aden, the vessel did not sink. The attack, which occurred on Sunday, involved one missile compromising the ship’s side, allowing water into the engine room and causing the stern to lower. A second missile targeted the deck but did not cause major damage, according to Blue Fleet CEO Roy Khoury.

Following the assault, the ship’s 24-person crew, consisting of nationals from Syria, Egypt, India, and the Philippines, was evacuated to Djibouti. Khoury shared that the Rubymar, still afloat with its stern submerged, was leaking fuel oil but there was no immediate risk of sinking. Efforts to tow the ship to Djibouti were in progress, with a tugboat expected to arrive within days.

This incident has been marked as the most severe damage inflicted on a commercial vessel by the Houthis since they began targeting ships last November, purportedly in solidarity with Palestinians. The attack has heightened concerns over maritime safety in the region, leading some shipping companies to reroute around southern Africa to bypass the Red Sea, which accounts for approximately 12% of global maritime trade. The United Nations has reported a significant decline in traffic through the Suez Canal, underscoring the broader implications of such disruptions on international trade.

Keep Learning

Download Global Trade Guide

Enter your email to get your FREE guide and weekly trade insights. Unsubscribe anytime.

Download Incoterms® 2020 Guide

Enter your email to get your FREE guide and weekly trade insights. Unsubscribe anytime.

Download Global Trade Guide

Enter your email to get your FREE guide and weekly trade insights. Unsubscribe anytime.

Weekly Insights. ZERO spam
Global Trade Guide

By downloading this content you agree to receive our weekly Global Trade Email Newsletter to help grow your business.

Get Smarter About Global Trade
Join 150K+ subscribers to receive our free weekly 5 minute newsletter on what's happening in the world of Global Trade.
Glossary of Shipping Terms

By downloading this content you agree to receive our weekly Global Trade Email Newsletter to help grow your business.

Vessel Still Afloat Despite Houthi Claims of Sinking

By downloading this content you agree to receive our weekly Global Trade Email Newsletter to help grow your business.

Export Manager's Guide to Remote Working

By downloading this content you agree to receive our weekly Global Trade Email Newsletter to help grow your business.

Download a Proforma Invoice Template PDF

By downloading this content you agree to receive our weekly Global Trade Email Newsletter to help grow your business.

 

Unit Load Device ULD Air Container Specifications

By downloading this content you agree to receive our weekly Global Trade Email Newsletter to help grow your business.