According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the captain of the tanker “Scarlet Ray” reported that “a splash was observed in the immediate vicinity and a loud bang was heard”.
The incident occurred 40 nautical miles south of the port of Yanbu in the Red Sea. It is not known whether it was an attack or a warning shot. The ship was not damaged and was able to continue its journey; crew members were not injured.
UKMTO recently stated that those responsible for the attack were not known, but that the authorities had launched an investigation. At that time, however, it was already considered likely that the Yemeni Houthi militia was responsible for the attack. The group has since claimed responsibility for the attack, in which a ballistic missile was fired. The 145 m long “Scarlet Ray” (20,000 dwt) was built in 2020. After the name and owner of the ship was initially kept under wraps, it is now known that she sails for East Pacific Shipping. The shipping company is owned by Israeli shipping magnate Idan Ofer.
Since November 2023, the Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea that have links to Israel. Several ships were targeted by the militia and some sank as a result of the attacks. Since then, the region has been largely avoided and container ships have been diverted around the Cape of Good Hope off South Africa.
To protect ships in the region, the German Armed Forces are also participating in Operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES. As was recently announced, only half as many forces are to be stationed in the Red Sea in future.
