The Singapore-flagged Maersk Hangzhou, a 14,000-capacity containership operating on Maersk’s AE12-service between Europe and Asia, reported the incident while transiting from Singapore to Port Suez, Egypt. The crew observed a “flash” on deck approximately 55 nautical miles southwest of Al Hudaydah, Yemen, at 8:30 p.m. local time.
The vessel is reported to be "seaworthy," and there are no reported injuries among the crew. The USS Gravely and USS Laboon swiftly responded, with the USS Gravely intercepting two anti-ship ballistic missiles launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
In a statement to gCaptain, Maersk explained that the crew noticed a flash but found no signs of fire onboard. It was also reported that the vessel was fully manoeuvrable and the transit to the north continued.
This incident follows Maersk's resumption of Red Sea transits with the establishment of the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG) naval coalition. Safety concerns stemming from missile attacks by Iran-backed Houthis led Maersk to suspend transits on December 15. The near-miss missile attack on the Maersk Gibraltar near the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait prompted other carriers to reroute ships around the Cape of Good Hope. About half of the containerships that usually transit the region have been rerouted, impacting maritime operations.
Denmark has joined the international efforts, sending a frigate to support Operation Prosperity Guardian.
The recent missile strike marks the 23rd illegal attack by the Houthis on international shipping since the hijacking of the Galaxy Leader car carrier on November 19.
