According to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), the Liberia-flagged oil tanker Chios Lion is currently assessing damage and investigating a potential oil spill after being attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
The JMIC reported that an unmanned watercraft inflicted minor damage to the tanker’s port side on Monday as part of a series of attacks by the Houthis on the Chios Lion and another ship sailing around 100 nautical miles northwest of Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah.
Following the attack, the tanker turned around and headed back north out of the threat area to further assess the damage and investigate any potential oil spillage. The JMIC stated that the captain and crew of the Chios Lion are safe.
The Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for targeting the Chios Lion and another vessel, Bentley I, using ballistic missiles, drones, and booby-trapped boats. This attack was reportedly in retaliation for a deadly Israeli airstrike on the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis on Saturday.
Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have posed an economic toll on global trade by forcing ship owners to take the longer route around Africa instead of the Suez Canal shortcut. These attacks also carry the risk of environmental damage from spilled cargo, such as oil and fertilizer, as well as the fuel used to power the vessels.
The Chios Lion’s manager has not yet responded to requests for comment on the incident and the ongoing assessment of the potential oil spill.