Maritime volatility has returned to the south-western Red Sea following Sunday’s attack on the Magic Seas, a bulk carrier which was severely damaged in a coordinated attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Owned by Greek carrier Allseas Marine, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and maritime security firm Ambrey reported that the crew had been safely evacuated to another passing vessel after multiple military drones targeted the Magic Seas.

The attack was reported about 52 nautical miles southwest of Yemen’s Port of Hodeidah, and in addition to at least four heavily armed drones firing at the vessel’s side, involved eight small boats engaging the Magic Seas with rifle fire and rocket-propelled grenades.

Port-side damage to the bulker is said to have caused serious damage, resulting in the vessel taking on water.

At noon on July 7, the vessel was said to be immobilised, on fire and in danger of sinking.

Ambrey confirmed that the attack was consistent with the Houthis’ modus operandi, possibly marking an end to a May 6 ceasefire secured through Qatari mediation with the US.

“Ambrey reported that the Magic Seas was struck twice, with the latter attack forcing the crew to abandon ship after the vessel began taking on water and lost propulsion. A private, armed security team onboard returned fire during the initial small boat assault, but could not prevent the drone strikes that followed,” Asia Shipping Media said.

Not long after the Magic Seas was attacked, Israel targeted Hodeidah through several airstrikes, which included attacks on port terminal installations at Ras Isa As-Salif further north on Yemen’s coast.

Israel said it had warned Yemen of the impending attacks and that civilians should be evacuated from the three locations about to be bombed.

The BBC reported that an Israeli spokesman had said the strikes would target areas of military activity, including a power station.

May’s ceasefire was, for the most part, based on a Houthi undertaking that it would not target any vessels in the Red Sea, provided that no maritime traffic south of the Suez Canal was serving Israeli ports.

The ceasefire enabled a resumption of sorts for vessels travelling through the Suez, especially by French line CMA CGM.

Other lines said they would cautiously see how the ceasefire situation off Yemen’s coast unfolded, preferring to continue sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, a continental bypass that can add as much as two weeks’ sailing time to vessels on Europe-Asia trade lanes.

Following Sunday’s Red Sea attacks, the hoped-for full resumption of maritime trade through the Red Sea has been significantly set back.

But US President Donald Trump said he was confident of negotiating a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, whose presence in Gaza and its hostage-taking attack on October 7, 2023, directly led to conflict in the Middle East.

Assisted by the government of Qatar in peace negotiations and awaiting a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said: “I think there's a good chance we will have a deal with Hamas during the week.”

He said it should see the release of the remaining hostages taken during the 2023 attacks.

The Houthis have frequently stated that unless Israel withdraws from its war on Gaza, it cannot guarantee the return of peaceful maritime trade in the Red Sea.

Source: Freight news