Latest Houthi Attack: Star Bulk’s Star Iris Panamax Vessel Targeted in Red Sea

A 20-year-old Panamax bulk carrier, Star Bulk’s Star Iris, became the latest target of Houthi militants on Monday. The carrier, owned by NASDAQ-listed Star Bulk, was fired upon twice within a span of 20 minutes by missiles while passing through the Bab al Mandab strait in a southeast direction.

AIS data obtained from MarineTraffic indicates that the ship departed from Vila do Conde port in Brazil on January 12 and was en route to the port of Bandar Imam Khomeini in Iran.

According to maritime security specialists Ambrey, the Panamax vessel sustained physical damage on its starboard side. Fortunately, no crew members were reported injured.

“The naval forces of the Yemeni Armed Forces targeted the American ship Star Iris in the Red Sea with a number of suitable naval missiles, and the strikes were accurate and direct,” stated the Houthis in a release issued today.

This attack on Star Bulk’s Star Iris marks the 51st attack on merchant ships since the beginning of November when the Houthis, based in Yemen, declared their support for Palestinians in their conflict with Israel.

Today’s strike, occurring early this morning, represents the first reported attack in the volatile Red Sea region in six days.

On February 6, another vessel owned by Star Bulk, the Star Nasia Kamsarmax, sustained minor damage when three missiles were launched at it.

In an interview with Splash two weeks ago, Arsenio Dominguez, the newly appointed secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), called for a “multi-faceted” solution to the ongoing shipping crisis in the Red Sea.

“The solution has to be multi-faceted: enhanced ship security, cessation of hostile activities targeting innocent seafarers, and regional and international efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution to the problem,” Dominguez emphasized.