Only one-third of ships attacked by Houthi militants have Israeli connections

[WBHG News 24 – Kirkland] – Since November 19, Houthi militants supported by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) have pirated, attempted to board, or fired missiles and drones at 17 cargo vessels, claiming the maritime disruption was in support of Hamas by targeting Israeli-owned ships and ships sailing to Israel. Over the weekend, the Houthis expanded the attacks to include vessels owned by the United States and the United Kingdom due to airstrikes on militant positions in northern Yemen.

An analysis of the cargo vessels that have been attacked shows that 35% have Israeli connections, and only one may have been en route to an Israeli port. Two of the six vessels with Israeli connections that were attacked were struck by Shahed-136 one-way drones likely launched from Iran. 

Ships with Israeli Connections

Central Park – November 26, 2023

The Central Park is a tanker vessel that was en route from Morocco and sailing to India when it was boarded by Houthi militants in the Gulf of Aden. With assistance from the USS Mason, control of the vessel was restored, and the crew was freed. During the military operation, several antiship missiles were fired at the vessel. The Central Park continued to India without further incident. The ship is flagged in Liberia and owned by the United Kingdom company  Zodiac Maritime. Israeli billionaire Idan Offer is a part-owner.

Chem Pluto – December 23, 2023

The Chem Pluto is a chemical tanker that was en route from Saudi Arabia to India and was hit by a Shahed-136 one-way drone likely launched from Iran. The ship’s crew was able to control the fire after the incident. The vessel is flagged in Liberia and owned by a Japanese company. The management company, Ace Quantum Chemical Tankers, is owned by Israeli billionaire Idan Offer.

 CMA CGM Symi – November 25, 2023

The CMA CGM Symi is a container ship that departed the United Arab Emirates and was en route to China. The ship was struck by a drone, likely a Shahed-136 one-way UAV launched from Iran. The vessel received light damage to the stern and continued to Xiamen. The vessel is flagged in Malta and owned by a Japanese company. The management company, Ace Quantum Chemical Tankers, is owned by Israeli billionaire Idan Offer.

CMA CGM TAGE – January 3, 2024

The CMA CGM TAGE is a container ship that departed Singapore and was en route to Egypt. Houthi militants fired antiship missiles at the vessel, claiming it was sailing to “occupied Palestine.” The ship is flagged in Malta and owned by Eastern Pacific Shipping of Singapore, which is owned by Israeli billionaire Idan Offer.

Galaxy Leader – November 19, 2023

The Galaxy Leader is a roll-on roll-off automotive carrier that departed Turkey and was en route to Indonesia when it was boarded by Houthi militants and pirated. The ship is flagged in the Bahamas and owned by Nippon Yusen and Ray Shipping of Japan. Rami Unger of Israel is part owner.

Strinda – December 11, 2023

The Strinda is a chemical and oil tanker vessel that departed Malaysia with a destination of Italy via Suez in AIS. Houthi militants claim that the ship was sailing to Israel. Cached port records indicated the Strinda was scheduled to arrive in Haifa on January 4, which was deleted before the attack. An antiship cruise missile struck the vessel, causing a fire that was controlled by the crew. It reportedly was carrying a cargo of palm kernel oil. The ship is flagged in Norway and owned by a Norwegian company.

A map of the attacks by the Houthi rebels on commercial shipping off the coast of #Yemen.

Of note that the vast majority of incidents have occurred outside of Yemeni territorial waters, and many have taken place away from #Houthi controlled coasts.

Thank you to @detresfa_ for… pic.twitter.com/ZVdfBE2QoV

— War Mapper (@War_Mapper) January 16, 2024

Ships with no Israeli Connections

Al Jasrah- December 15, 2023

The Al Jasrah is a container ship that departed Greece and was en route to Singapore. It was hit by a one-way drone, causing a significant fire. The ship is flagged in Liberia and owned by a Kuwaiti company.

Ardmore Encounter – December 13, 2023

The Ardmore Encounter is a tanker that departed India and was en route to  Sweden via a port of call in the Netherlands. Two missiles were fired at the ship, and were intercepted by the U.S. Navy. The ship is flagged in the Marshall Islands and owned by a United Arab Emirates company. The vessel was previously owned by an Israeli investor, who sold their interest in June 2023.

Blaamanen – December 23, 2023

The Blaamanen is a crude oil tanker that departed Romania and was en route to India. Four drones that were launched at the ship were intercepted by the USS Laboon. The ship is flagged in Norway, owned by a Norwegian company,  and management by a company in Singapore.

Gibraltar Eagle – January 15, 2024

The Gigraltar Eagle is a bulk carrier that was sailing from South Korea with a load of steel en route to Suez, Egypt. An antiship missile struck the vessel, damaging a cargo hold, but it did not start a fire. The ship is flagged in the Marshall Islands and owned by a United States company.

Khalissa – January 12, 2024

The oil tanker Khalissa was sailing from Russia with an unknown destination in AIS. Houthi rebels fired at least one antiship missile at the vessel, which hit the water approximately 400 meters away. The ship is flagged in Panama and was previously owned by a company in the United Kingdom. It is now part of the sanction-running Russian shadow fleet.

Maersk Gibraltar – December 14, 2023

The Maersk Gibraltar is a container ship that departed Oman and was en route to Saudi Arabia. Antiship missiles were fired at the vessel and missed. Houthi militants continued to threaten the vessel with further attacks if it did not sail to their port of control. The ship is flagged in Hong Kong and is owned by the Danish company Maersk.

MSC Clara – December 18, 2023

The MSC Clara is a container ship that departed Saudi Arabia and was en route to the United Arab Emirates. The ship reported seeing an explosion “nearby,” but was not damaged. The vessel is flagged in Panama and owned by a Swiss company.

Platinum III – December 15, 2023

The Platinum III is a container ship that departed Kenya and was en route to Saudi Arabia. An antiship missile hit it as it transited the Red Sea near Bab e-Mandeb and diverted to Djibouti. The vessel is flagged in Liberia and owned by a Swiss company.

Sai Baba – December 23, 2023

The Sai Baba is a crude oil tanker that departed from Russia with an unknown destination in AIS. Two antiship missiles were fired at the vessel and missed. The ship is part of the Russian sanction-running shadow fleet flagged in India and owned by a company or private interest in Gabon.

Swan Atlantic – December 18, 2023

The Swan Atlantic is a tanker ship that departed Saudi Arabia and was en route to Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean, controlled by France. The vessel was hit by an antiship missile but continued to its destination. The ship is flagged in the Cayman Islands and owned by a Norwegian company.