HMS Richmond has temporarily taken over the security of maritime trade routes in the Red Sea, replacing HMS Diamond, presumably damaged by Yemeni Houthis during one of the increased attacks, according to The National.
HMS Diamond, which used the Sea Viper missile system to intercept drones, will now be rearmed before returning to the Red Sea. Chief Officer of the destroyer Peter Evans declared:
“The situation in the region is fraught and ships in the force are firing on a daily basis. We hand over the baton with our best wishes to the fantastic team on Richmond who we know will do a great job.”
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also reported that a UK-owned cargo ship was attacked in the Red Sea shortly after midnight on Tuesday. The ship’s captain was reportedly “aware of a small craft on his port side” before a shell was fired at the vessel.
Houthi rebels also attacked the MV Star Nasia, a Greek-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged dry cargo ship travelling through the Gulf of Aden, US Central Command reported. In another incident, an explosion was reported near a merchant vessel about 90 kilometres from Aden in Yemen.
The militants have repeatedly attacked ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, claiming their actions are the response to the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Risks to ships travelling along the sea lanes have forced many vessels voyaging between Asia and Europe to use an alternative route through the southern part of the African continent instead of using the Suez Canal, significantly increasing costs and delivery times.
About 12 per cent of world trade passes through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
