A container ship operated by the German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd came under fire on the Bab al-Mandab strait. A spokesman for Hapag-Lloyd confirmed a shelling at the SZ’s request. “No crew member was injured,” he said. The ship Al Jasrahwhich sails under the Lebanese flag, is designed to transport up to 15,000 standard containers and is therefore one of the medium-sized container ships.
According to the Tracking portal Vesselfinder Al Jasrah last called at the Egyptian port of Port Said and left it in the early hours of December 12th, the destination being the port of Singapore. Hapag-Lloyd will “take further measures to ensure the safety of our crew,” the spokesman said.
The Yemeni Houthi militia is believed to be responsible for the attack, but has not yet publicly claimed responsibility.
The ship was traveling south along the strait when it was hit by an object, said the British maritime security company Ambrey. A fire broke out on deck and a container fell off board.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. Attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have increased recently. The Houthi militia in Yemen had announced that it would block the path of ships with connections to Israel in solidarity with Hamas, which is also supported by Iran.