According to HaberDenizde.com, the container ship ‘Number 9,’ targeted by Yemeni Houthi rebels on December 4, has been transported to a shipyard in Sefine Shipyard in Yalova, Türkiye for extensive repairs. This Panama-flagged vessel, part of a three-ship convoy including ‘Unity Explorer’ and ‘Sophie II,’ was off the Yemeni coast when attacked. The assault came in the wake of Houthi threats against vessels heading to Israel, following the Gaza bombardment.
Container ship ‘Number 9’ damaged by rocket attack
‘Number 9,’ a giant container ship measuring 260.55 meters in length and 32.3 meters in width, sustained severe hull damage from the rocket attack. The repair work will be carried out by a company located in the Tersaneler Bölgesi area of Altinova district. The large-scale damage to the ship was clearly visible when it arrived at the shipyard.
Implications for global shipping
The attack on the ‘Number 9’ and its fellow vessels ‘Unity Explorer’ and ‘Sophie II’ has had significant implications for global shipping. Shipping behemoth Maersk announced its intentions to resume Red Sea shipments, having suspended operations due to the Houthi missile and drone attacks on vessels in the region. The company cited the deployment of a U.S.-led multinational maritime security force as the rationale for their decision.
However, Maersk acknowledged that the risk in the area remains and indicated they would initiate diversion plans for safety concerns. Houthi attacks on merchant ships began in response to the Israel-Hamas war. The company received confirmation that the maritime security force was deployed to allow maritime commerce to pass through the region.
Houthi threats and maritime scurity
The Houthi attacks have disrupted global trade, forcing major shipping companies like Maersk to reroute their vessels around Africa. The rebels have escalated these assaults since the Israel-Hamas war onset, targeting any vessel they suspect is traveling to or from Israel. In response, the U.S. navy shot down four incoming drones from Houthi-controlled regions. A Norwegian-flagged chemicals and oil tanker also reported a near miss of an attack drone.
The ongoing Houthi assaults represent a severe threat to international trade and security, highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive solution to the Yemen conflict. The attacks have forced cargo vessels to divert through longer routes, increasing global costs and disrupting the global supply chain.
