US Warns of Environmental Disaster After Houthi Ship Strike

The Rubymar, a cargo vessel flying the Belize flag, British registration, and operated by a Lebanese company, has been compromised off the Gulf of Aden, resulting in significant environmental concerns. This incident unfolded after the ship, carrying flammable fertilizer, was targeted by a missile attack from Yemeni Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, last Sunday.

Following the attack, the ship’s crew was safely evacuated to Djibouti, despite the vessel suffering considerable damage. One missile breached the ship’s side, leading to water flooding the engine room and causing the ship’s rear to lower significantly. A subsequent missile strike impacted the deck but did not lead to substantial harm, according to Roy Khoury, the CEO of Blue Fleet Group, the vessel’s operating company.

The U.S. Central Command has reported that the Rubymar is now stationary but continues to leak water slowly, leaving behind an oil spill stretching 18 miles. The potential for over 41,000 tons of fertilizer onboard to mix with the Red Sea’s waters poses a further risk of exacerbating the environmental crisis.

Efforts are underway to tow the Rubymar to Djibouti within the week, as stated by the ship’s operator. Despite the ship’s precarious situation, evidenced by recent imagery showing its stern submerged, Khoury remains optimistic, stating there’s currently no immediate risk of sinking, although he acknowledges the possibility.

This attack marks a significant escalation in the damage inflicted upon commercial shipping since the Houthi rebels began targeting vessels in November, stating their actions as support for Palestinians in Gaza amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict. Consequently, the increased risk has led some shipping companies to reroute around southern Africa, bypassing the Red Sea—a crucial corridor that handles approximately 12 percent of the world’s maritime trade. This diversion comes amid warnings from the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development about a sharp 40 percent decline in traffic through the Suez Canal over the last two months, signaling a significant impact on global trade flows.