Eagle Bulk Ship Struck by Missile in Gulf of Aden
A ship owned by US-based Eagle Bulk Shipping has been struck by a missile in the Gulf of Aden.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) office reported that the ship's port side was hit by a missile from above, approximately 95 nautical miles southeast of Aden, Yemen.
The U.S. Central Command has confirmed details of the incident, stating that the M/V Gibraltar Eagle was hit by an anti-ship ballistic missile fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. The ship has reported no injuries or significant damage and is continuing its voyage.
The M/V Gibraltar Eagle is a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier owned by US-based Eagle Bulk Shipping (NYSE: EGLE). The incident follows another failed missile launch by the Houthis.
"Earlier in the day, at approximately 2 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Forces detected an anti-ship ballistic missile fired toward the Southern Red Sea commercial shipping lanes. The missile failed in flight and impacted on land in Yemen. There were no injuries or damage reported," the U.S. Central Command added.
In a statement, Eagle Bulk Shipping said the Gibraltar Eagle was hit by an "unidentified projectile."
"As a result of the impact, the vessel suffered limited damage to a cargo hold but is stable and is heading out of the area," Eagle Bulk said. "All seafarers onboard the vessel are confirmed to be uninjured. The vessel is carrying a cargo of steel products."
This latest incident is near where another vessel reported a missile landing in the water nearby after being followed by three small boats on Friday, January 12. On that same day, another vessel reported seeing small boats in the same area.
UK-based security firm EOS Risk Group said that the arrival of the Iranian spy ship M/V Behshad in the Gulf of Aden on January 12 heightens the risk of attacks in the area. "MV BEHSHAD is likely providing targeting data to the Houthis ashore in Yemen," the group said in a post to "X".
On Sunday, a U.S. fighter jet shot down an anti-ship cruise missile near Hudaydah, Yemen that was fired from Yemen towards the USS Laboon (DDG 58) in the Southern Red Sea.
Today's missile attack is the 29th attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis on international shipping since November. The incident marks a rare hit by the Houthis since the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian in mid-December. The last reported successful missile strike took place on December 30 against the M/V Maersk Gibraltar.
The attacks come after military strikes by the U.S. and UK on multiple targets in Yemen last Thursday. The U.S. launched a follow-on strike on Friday against a Houthi radar site in Yemen.
The Houthis have vowed retaliation for the attacks.
Eagle Bulk Shipping is one of the world's largest owner-operators in the midsize dry bulk vessel segment.