A Liberian-flagged oil tanker managed by Eastern Pacific Shipping narrowly escaped damage on Monday after Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a missile strike in the Red Sea.
The vessel, identified as Scarlet Ray, was transiting the waterway when the projectile landed close by, according to a report from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). While the attack created a loud blast that was heard on board, the tanker itself sustained no damage and continued its voyage safely.
Eastern Pacific Shipping, based in Singapore and controlled by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer, has previously been singled out by the Houthis. The rebel group has intensified its campaign against commercial vessels with links to Israel, the United States, and their allies, using drones and missiles to disrupt global shipping lanes.
Since late 2023, the Houthis have claimed responsibility for dozens of strikes in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden. Several ships have been damaged or sunk in recent months, resulting in casualties among international seafarers and triggering widespread security concerns in one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
Naval forces from the United States and allied countries continue to patrol the region under Operation Prosperity Guardian, aiming to protect merchant traffic. However, Monday’s attempted strike underscores the ongoing threat facing shipping companies, particularly those with ownership or trading connections viewed by the Houthis as hostile.
The attack on Scarlet Ray highlights the mounting risks for global energy and commodity trade, with insurance premiums for Red Sea transits climbing and more shipowners diverting vessels around the Cape of Good Hope despite longer routes and higher costs.
So far, no group has reported injuries from the latest incident, and the tanker remains under normal operations.
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