Container ship Groton attacked near Yemen amid growing Middle East security risks

Container ship Groton was attacked 125 nautical miles east of Aden in Yemen, the UK Maritime Trade Operations said Aug. 3, as shipping continues to be a target in the conflict in the Middle East.

Groton is sailing under a Liberian flag, was last docked at Fujairah in the UAE and is bound for Djibouti, according to S&P Global Commodities at Sea.

UKMTO said that the vessel was hit by an unknown explosive. It added that there were no fires, water ingress or oil leaks as a result of the attack, and the vessel was continuing to its next port of call.

An investigation is ongoing and UKMTO advised vessels to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity.

On July 15, three ships were attacked off the Red Sea coast of Yemen, including the Aframax tanker Chios Lion, which suffered damage.

Yemen-based Houthi rebels have not formally claimed responsibility, but they have led a major campaign targeting ships in recent months. They claim to have attacked more than 100 ships linked to Israel, the US and UK in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since the Israel-Hamas war broke out Oct. 7.

Many major energy and shipping companies, including BP, Maersk, QatarEnergy and Frontline, have altered their routes to sail around Africa to avoid the Houthis.

Security risks have increased in the Middle East in recent weeks, with the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran raising the risk of retaliatory attacks. This will pose ongoing risks to shipping, S&P Global Commodity Insights forecasts.

"Houthi targeting of commercial and naval vessels in the Gulf of Aden, Bab al-Mandab Strait and Red Sea is likely to continue through 2024, despite US-led coalition strikes on Houthi territory in Yemen, maintaining a severe risk for all vessels and crew attempting to transit the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea, regardless of affiliation," Commodity Insights said.