A commercial cargo ship came under attack Sunday in the Red Sea near Yemen, prompting a distress call and a security response as concerns persist over maritime safety in one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors.
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the bulk carrier reported it was “under attack by unknown armed assailants” approximately 30 nautical miles southwest of the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeida.
UKMTO said the incident began when a small skiff approached the vessel and opened fire. Armed security personnel aboard the cargo ship returned fire, prompting the attackers to retreat.
Officials said the skiff then returned to a larger vessel positioned roughly two nautical miles away. The larger ship reportedly had its automatic identification system switched off, making it more difficult to identify.
No injuries were reported among the ship’s crew or security personnel, according to British authorities.
No organization immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. A spokesman for Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement declined to comment when contacted by the Associated Press.
The attack is the latest security incident reported in the Red Sea, a critical international shipping route connecting the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal.
The waterway handles a significant share of global trade, including container cargo and energy shipments.
Regional tensions have remained elevated following hostilities involving the United States and Iran earlier this year.
The Houthis have previously threatened vessels they believe are linked to Israel and have carried out numerous attacks against commercial shipping since late 2023 using drones, missiles and other weapons, according to Trending Politics.
Those attacks prompted many international shipping companies to reroute vessels around the southern tip of Africa rather than transit through the Red Sea and Suez Canal, increasing shipping costs and delivery times.
While maritime attacks declined following agreements reached in late 2025, security officials have continued to warn that threats remain throughout the region.
Separately, suspected piracy has also resurfaced in nearby waters.
On July 1, UKMTO reported another incident involving a commercial vessel approximately 76 nautical miles south of the Yemeni port of Balhaf. According to British authorities, four armed men approached the ship in a small boat and caused minor damage to the vessel’s bridge before departing.
British maritime officials continue to advise commercial vessels operating in the region to exercise heightened caution and immediately report suspicious activity while transiting the Red Sea and surrounding waterways.
