Update: Dutch Cargo Ship on Fire and Abandoned After Houthi Missile Attack

cargo ship at sea — Vessel is being identified by security consultants as one of Spliethoff's M-Class cargo ships (Spliethoff file photo)

In what appears to be the first attack by the Houthi militants on a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden in nearly 14 months, a Dutch cargo ship has been heavily damaged, forcing the crew to abandon ship after an apparent missile strike. The French Navy dispatched a warship, with the ship’s operator Spliethoff reporting that two seafarers sustained injuries.

The ship, the Minervagrach (12,200 dwt), is a Dutch-flagged cargo ship that was last reporting its position as in Djibouti on September 26, bound for Mumbai, India. The vessel, which is 466 feet (142 meters) in length, was approximately 128 nautical miles southeast of Aden, Yemen.

Spliethoff confirmed that the 19 crewmembers were being airlifted by helicopter from the burning ship to nearby vessels. The extent of their injuries to the two seafarers is unknown.

The ship is reported to have no known ties to Israel, according to a statement from the Maritime Information, Cooperation and Awareness Center. However, it is the second time in a matter of days that the Houthis appear to have targeted the same vessel. Another report was received on September 23 saying the master had “observed a splash followed by a loud bang,” about 1.5 nautical miles from the ship while it was approximately 120 nautical miles east of Aden.

The first reports today said the master had observed another splash nearby, suggesting that possibly multiple missiles were fired at the ship. EUNAVFOR Aspides reports the ship is now on fire and adrift. It said the vessel had not requested protection.

The previous report of an attack on a commercial ship in this area came in August 2024. It has been several weeks since the Houthis claimed an attack on any vessels, with the last incidents in the Red Sea and the north toward Saudi Arabia. Most of the reported missile and drone attacks have been directed at Israel. The Houthis resumed their attacks on merchant ships in July, sinking two bulkers and killing several seafarers, while others were taken to Yemen.