Liberian-Flagged Bulk Carrier Attacked in Red Sea, Israel Strikes Back in Yemen

A bulk carrier operated by a Greek company sailing under a Liberian flag suffered a coordinated attack involving small arms and explosive drones, prompting an Israeli military response against Yemen's Houthis.

Share:

A Liberian-registered bulk carrier, operated by a Greek maritime company, was attacked off the coast of Yemen by several small vessels equipped with small arms, rocket launchers, and remotely-controlled explosive drones. The ship’s crew quickly abandoned the vessel after a fire broke out due to the impacts and significant water ingress occurred. All crew members were safely rescued by another commercial vessel nearby. The incident reignited regional geopolitical tensions and directly affected the security of commercial maritime transit in the Red Sea.

Detailed Chronology of the Attack
According to initial reports, the assault unfolded in several distinct phases. Initially, around eight small, fast-moving boats opened fire using automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades. Shortly afterward, four explosive maritime drones were directed towards the bulk carrier; two successfully struck their target, causing severe structural damage and igniting a significant fire. The onboard security team reportedly neutralized the other two drones before impact. These coordinated attacks rendered the vessel unable to continue its voyage, forcing the crew to permanently abandon ship.

Attribution and Regional Escalation
Although no official claim of responsibility was issued, the characteristics of the attack strongly match previous operations by Yemen’s Houthi rebel group, known for frequently employing explosive drones against commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea. Previously, the Houthis had explicitly threatened to escalate their actions against commercial shipping in response to Israeli and U.S. military operations targeting Iranian interests. The resumption of such attacks could indicate a new escalation in regional tensions, especially after recent exchanges of threats directly involving the Houthis and Israel.

Israel’s Immediate Military Response
In direct response to this attack, Israel launched targeted airstrikes against several Houthi-controlled port facilities, including locations at Hodeida, Ras Isa, and Salif, as well as a power plant in Ras Kanatib. The declared aim of these strikes is to disrupt weapon-supply routes used by the rebel group. In retaliation, the Houthis fired at least one ballistic missile towards Israel, heightening concerns over a major escalation of regional tensions.

Immediate Economic Impacts on Maritime Commerce
The resurgence of violence in the Red Sea has caused an immediate rise in insurance premiums charged to shipping operators navigating through the region. This strategic area represents one of the world’s key transportation arteries for energy commodities, notably crude oil and natural gas shipments heading towards Europe and Asia. Increased perceived risks are already pushing economic actors to consider alternative routes to prevent major disruptions to their supply chains.

Potential Long-Term Consequences for Global Energy
Should such attacks increase in frequency, they could significantly alter economic balances in international energy transportation. Prolonged maritime tensions in the Red Sea would lead to higher logistics costs for energy operators, potentially impacting global energy prices. Faced with these elevated risks, companies might reconsider their sourcing strategies, prioritizing longer but safer routes.

The Canadian government is now awaiting a concrete private-sector proposal to develop a new oil pipeline connecting Alberta to the Pacific coast, following recent legislation intended to expedite energy projects.
Petrobras is exploring various strategies for its Polo Bahia oil hub, including potentially selling it, as current profitability is challenged by oil prices around $65 per barrel.
Brazilian producer Azevedo & Travassos will issue new shares to buy Petro-Victory and its forty-nine concessions, consolidating its onshore presence while taking on net debt of about USD39.5mn.
Major oil producers accelerate their return to the market, raising their August quotas more sharply than initially expected, prompting questions about future market balances.
Lindsey refinery could halt operations within three weeks due to limited crude oil reserves, according to a recent analysis by energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie, highlighting an immediate slowdown in production.
The flow of crude between the Hamada field and the Zawiya refinery has resumed after emergency repairs, illustrating the mounting pressure on Libya’s ageing pipeline network that threatens the stability of domestic supply.
Libreville is intensifying the promotion of deep-water blocks, still seventy-two % unexplored, to offset the two hundred thousand barrels-per-day production drop recorded last year, according to GlobalData.
The African Export-Import Bank extends the Nigerian oil company’s facility, providing room to accelerate drilling and modernisation by 2029 as international lenders scale back hydrocarbon exposure.
Petronas begins a three-well exploratory drilling campaign offshore Suriname, deploying a Noble rig after securing an environmental permit and closely collaborating with state-owned company Staatsolie.
Swiss commodities trader Glencore has initiated discussions with the British government regarding its supply contract with the Lindsey refinery, placed under insolvency this week, threatening hundreds of jobs and the UK's energy security.
Facing an under-equipped downstream sector, Mauritania partners with Sonatrach to create a joint venture aiming to structure petroleum products distribution and reduce import dependency, without yet disclosing specific investments.
Oil companies may reduce their exploration and production budgets in 2025, driven by geopolitical tensions and financial caution, according to a new report by U.S. banking group JP Morgan.
Commercial oil inventories in the United States rose unexpectedly last week, mainly driven by a sharp decline in exports and a significant increase in imports, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
TotalEnergies acquires a 25% stake in Block 53 offshore Suriname, joining APA and Petronas after an agreement with Moeve, thereby consolidating its expansion strategy in the region.
British company Prax Group has filed for insolvency, putting hundreds of jobs at its Lindsey oil site at risk, according to Sky News.
Orlen announces the definitive halt of its Russian oil purchases for the Czech Republic, marking the end of deliveries by Rosneft following the contract expiry, amid evolving logistics and diversification of regional supply sources.
Equinor and Shell launch Adura, a new joint venture consolidating their main offshore assets in the United Kingdom, aiming to secure energy supply with an expected production of over 140,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
Equinor announces a new oil discovery estimated at between 9 and 15 mn barrels at the Johan Castberg field in the Barents Sea, strengthening the reserve potential in Norway's northern region.
Sierra Leone relaunches an ambitious offshore exploration campaign, using a 3D seismic survey to evaluate up to 60 potential oil blocks before opening a new licensing round as early as next October.
Faced with recurrent shortages, Zambia is reorganising its fuel supply chain, notably issuing licences for operating new tanker trucks and service stations to enhance national energy security and reduce external dependence.