Two Navy destroyers came under attack by missiles and drones launched by Houthi rebels while they were sailing through a strait located between Yemen and Djibouti on Nov 11, 2024, according to the Pentagon. During the transit, the USS 'Stockdale' and USS 'Spruance' were attacked by at least eight one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems, five anti-ship ballistic missiles and three anti-ship cruise missiles.The two destroyers used missiles to thwart the incoming attack, and the Navy's contribution to the retaliatory strike included F-35C Lightning II fighter aircraft.. The Navy and Air Force responded overnight with "a series of precise airstrikes, which targeted multiple Houthi weapon storage facilities that housed a variety of advanced conventional weapons to target U.S. and international military and civilian vessels navigating international waters in the Red Sea.
News
GENCO CONSTELLATION
The 'Genco Constellation' carrying a cargo of 51,400 tons of potassium fertilizer, was attacked by pirates on Oct 15, 2024, around 9:10 p.m. UTC (4:10 a.m. LT) in pos. 05°30.05' S 105°17.25' E at the Panjang Anchorage. A group of four approached the vessel in a small motor boat. They managed to enter the ship’s engine room storage and took some old spare parts from the generator and engine room. No injuries were reported among the 20 crew members, among them 15 Filipinos and five Indians. The pirate activity was first noticed by an able-bodied seaman (AB) stationed at the stern, who spotted one of the pirates climbing the ship’s railing with a rope. The AB shouted to alert the pirates, who then escaped by jumping into the water and returning to their boat. The ncident was reportedd to the Panjang Vessel Traffic Service (VTS). An internal investigation revealed that the pirates had entered the ship through a deck door that had been temporarily open, allowing them to reach the engine room undetected by the crew stationed at the forward deck. As a precaution, the vessel tightened security by locking all access to the accommodation and engine rooms from the inside, leaving only one bridge access open for night watch crew. The crew was also briefed on the incident to prevent similar incidents in the future. The report was received by the Maritime Coordination Center (MCC) via email from The ICC - International Maritime Bureau (IMB) with report number IMBPRC/1106/GEN-CON-01. Meanwhile, the Panjang Harbourmaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP), through letter number UM.086/10/11/KSOP.PJG/2024 dated Nov 8, confirmed that they had not received an official report from the vessel’s agent regarding the incident. PT Bumi Laut Shipping Service, acting as the vessel agent for the 'Genco Constellation', stated in a declaration that they had not submitted a loss report to KSOP Panjang as they had not received a written report from the vessel’s master.
UOG ANDROS
On Oct 20, 2024, at 01.05 a.m. the 'UOG Andros' was boarded by one man, armed with a handgun, at the Mabini Seaoil Terminal in pos. 13° 45.88' N 120° 87.7' E. The intruder stole ship's properties and stores.
SOUNION
An operation to transfer approximately 150,000 tons of crude oil from the 'Sounion' to the 'Delta Blue'', using portable equipment, started at a safe anchorage point in the port of Suez on Nov 7. It is being conducted by a salvage crew aboard the tug 'Aigaion Pelagos'. The process is expected to take three to four weeks. The 20 separate fires caused by explosions triggered by the Houthis have been successfully extinguished by the crew of the 'Aigaion Pelagos'. The primary goal is to secure the ship and ensure its stability, as it lacks operational mechanical systems and its hull plates have been weakened by deck fires and subsequent explosions after being struck in a drone attack on Aug 21.
YM ADVANCE
On Oct 12, 2024, at 0148 a.m. the 'YM Advance' was boarded by 12 perpetrators at the Kutubdia Ancorage in Chattogram in pos. 21° 48.07' N 91° 47.09' E. The intruders stole ship's properties and stores and personal belongings of the crew.