Security Alert as Bulk Carrier Targeted by Houthi Missile

The NASDAQ-listed shipping company Star Bulk's 20-year-old panamax vessel, the Star Iris, was attacked by Houthi forces today. This incident involved the ship being struck by missiles twice within a 20-minute period as it navigated southeast through the Bab al Mandab Strait.

According to AIS tracking information provided by MarineTraffic, the Star Iris embarked from the Brazilian port of Vila do Conde on January 12, setting course for Bandar Imam Khomeini port in Iran.

Maritime defense experts at Ambrey have reported that the attack left the vessel with damage to its starboard side, though fortunately, no crew members were harmed.

A statement released by the Houthis today declared, "The naval forces of the Yemeni Armed Forces targeted the American ship Star Iris in the Red Sea with a number of suitable naval missiles, and the strikes were accurate and direct.”

This incident marks the 51st attack on commercial vessels attributed to the Houthis since early November. This uptick in aggression follows the group's declaration of support for the Palestinians amidst their conflict with Israel.

The assault on the Star Iris occurred early in the day, breaking a six-day period without reported incidents in the volatile Red Sea region.

Another vessel under Star Bulk management, the kamsarmax Star Nasia, experienced a similar fate on February 6, sustaining minor damage from three missile strikes.

In a recent conversation with Splash, Arsenio Dominguez, the newly appointed secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the crisis affecting maritime traffic in the Red Sea. Dominguez stated, “The solution has to be multi-faceted: enhanced ship security; a cessation of hostile activity which targets innocent seafarers; and regional and international efforts to reach a peaceful resolution to the problem.”