A Chinese-owned oil tanker was attacked off the coast of Yemen by ballistic missiles fired by Houthi rebels.
The Panama-flagged Huang Pu, a Chinese-owned vessel, signalled a distress call but did not request assistance, CENTCOM reported.
“No casualties were reported, and the vessel resumed its course,” the statement said.
CENTCOM and the British navy’s United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a fire broke out aboard the vessel but was extinguished within 30 minutes.
Further, the maritime cargo tracking website said the ship had left the Red Sea for the Gulf of Aden and was heading to the next port of call, which according to maritime security agency Ambrey, is New Mangalore in India.
CENTCOM reported that Houthi launched four anti-ship ballistic missiles in the Red Sea near Huang Pu before a fifth hit the ship.
“The Houthis attacked the MV Huang despite previously stating they would not attack Chinese vessels,” according to the statement.
Ambrey also said that “the tanker’s registration details, including name and operator, had been changed as recently as February 2024.” Additionally, it was registered in 2019 by the British firm Union Maritime Ltd, and another vessel associated with the same company has previously been targeted by the Houthis.
The Houthis have launched dozens of missile and drone strikes against maritime vessels over the past four months in what they say is solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. They have vowed to attack Israeli, British and American ships, as well as vessels travelling to Israeli ports.
