An India-flagged cargo vessel sank in the Red Sea on Tuesday after being struck by a projectile off the coast of Yemen [1], [2].
The incident underscores the persistent danger to commercial shipping in the region, where Houthi forces continue to target vessels to exert political pressure. This attack marks another escalation in the maritime insecurity affecting international trade routes.
The vessel, identified as the MSV Faize Noore Oliya [6], was positioned approximately 13 nautical miles south of the Houthi-held port city of Hodeidah [2], [3]. Following the projectile strike, the ship overturned and sank [2], [4].
Emergency responses ensured the safety of the personnel on board. A total of 14 crew members were rescued [3], [5]. This group included 13 Indian sailors and one Yemeni crew member [3].
While some initial reports focused specifically on the rescue of the 13 Indian nationals [7], subsequent confirmations from the center established that all 14 people on the ship were recovered [3], [5].
The attack occurred during a period of heightened volatility in the Red Sea. Projectile strikes on commercial ships have become a recurring feature of the conflict in Yemen, often targeting vessels regardless of their specific national affiliation or cargo [2], [7].
Maritime security agencies continue to warn of the risks associated with transit near Hodeidah. The loss of the MSV Faize Noore Oliya serves as a reminder of the physical risks faced by merchant mariners operating in these contested waters [2], [4].
“The MSV Faize Noore Oliya was positioned approximately 13 nautical miles south of the Houthi-held port city of Hodeidah.”
The sinking of the MSV Faize Noore Oliya demonstrates that even vessels with neutral or non-aligned flags are vulnerable to projectile attacks in the Red Sea. By targeting a cargo ship near Hodeidah, the attackers signal that the risk zone remains expansive, forcing shipping companies to either pay higher insurance premiums or divert vessels around Africa, which increases global shipping costs.
