In what seemed to presage a new level of brutality in seafarer attacks, four survivors were rescued from the cargo ship Eternity C. In all they had suffered 48 hours locked in the Red Sea. Initially claiming responsibility for the action, Houthi forces later denied attacking and sinking the vessel. They are said to be holding the other 22 crew members and three guards still on board hostage. This incident is part of a dramatic rise in maritime hostility associated with protracted civil wars ongoing across the Middle East.
The Houthis’ military spokesperson confirmed in a televised address that the Yemeni navy had taken some action against maritime operations, signaling a renewed focus on control over shipping lanes. Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the Yemeni Shi’ite group’s leader, has publicly declared that firms should not carry goods connected to Israel. This ban extends to vital arteries like the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Houthi Campaign Against Shipping Intensifies
Since the sinking of the Magic Seas cargo ship, Houthis have further escalated their maritime campaign. This watershed moment has triggered a second wave of hostile attacks that began in earnest last November 2023. Over 100 vessels have allegedly been attacked during this campaign. The Houthis have framed their recent attacks as a show of solidarity with Palestinians during the current war on Gaza.
On Wednesday, only three days after the Magic Seas attack, a combination of sea drones and RPGs sunk the Eternity C. The assailants fired on villagers from speedboats. According to reports from security firms engaged in the rescue operations, four of Eternity C’s 25 crew members were killed in the attack. It was this horrible incident that made the rest of the crew jump ship.
“Seafarers should be able to work safely at sea. Instead, they are being unfairly forced into the firing line” – UK-based Seafarers’ Charity association
The further deterioration has caused serious alarm for the welfare and safety of seafarers and the shipping industry at large. These attacks have already caused insurance rates for shipping goods through the Red Sea to spike. They’ve more than doubled since the current wave of attacks started last month.
Rescue Operations Underway
Since the sinking of Eternity C, rescue operations have operated under the eyes of heavy militarization and organized pushback. Following a concerted effort, rescuers managed to pull three more crew members and a security guard alive from the Red Sea. This operation demonstrates both the perilous nature of maritime activities in the region and the commitment of rescue teams to save those affected by the violence.
As tensions continue to rise, Abdul Malik al-Houthi asserted that seafarers should have the right to operate safely at sea. He added that some companies had crossed the line into violating his group’s long-time ban on carrying cargo linked to Israel.
“What was discovered [this week] was the violation by some companies of the decision” – Abdul Malik al-Houthi
The effects of these attacks have reached down the entire global shipping supply chain. Daily sailings through the Bab al-Mandab strait fell precipitously. On July 1st, 43 vessels transited, but on July 9th, that number fell to only 32 as shipping lines re-planned their routes and adjusted their strategies based on the higher risk.
Implications for Global Shipping
The Houthis’ military activities and impact on maritime security pose serious threats to international shipping interest. This sharp uptick in attacks has made it necessary for shipping lines to re-evaluate their routes of operation—even on some of the busiest trade arteries in the world. As companies grapple with rising insurance costs and reduced service reliability, many are left questioning how to proceed amidst ongoing conflict.
Beyond humanitarian concerns, the Houthi campaign is symptomatic of wider geopolitical currents roiling the region. With their stated aims of solidarity with Palestinian causes, the group appears willing to escalate actions that could disrupt global trade. The maritime community continues to watch these developments play out with great interest. They understand that safety at sea is getting riskier for commercial ships trying to run in these waters.
