Oil Tanker Sustains Damage After Houthi Attack Off Yemen

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operation (UKMTO) reported on May 18 that a crude oil tanker, Wind, had been attacked 98 miles south of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. The captain of the vessel confirmed that it had been struck by an unknown object, resulting in slight damage. However, the crew and vessel remained safe and continued sailing to their next port of call.

On May 12-13, the vessel had passed through the Suez Canal, with the last AIS signal indicating its position in the middle of the Red Sea, bound for China.

CENTCOM reported that the attack on the Wind damaged the propulsion and steering systems. Nevertheless, the crew managed to repair the systems and continued sailing under their own power.

Ambrey, a British security firm, later stated that the steering gear was ablaze, but another steering unit on the vessel was still functional.

Wind is a 105,387 dwt oil tanker registered in Panama, operated from Greece, and was transporting Russian cargo to China.

The Houthi rebels have not claimed responsibility for the attack. However, they have threatened to extend their range of attacks to vessels across the Indian Ocean, including those near South Africa and the Cape of Good Hope.