Two more boxships belonging to Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) were attacked by the Houthis yesterday with Splash estimates now suggesting the number of merchant ships targeted in the region since November last year is closing in on 100 ships.
The MSC Gina and MSC Diego – both around 4,000 teu in size – were targeted, although there were no reports of damage. The MSC Gina was subjected to a similar attack by the Houthis on April 7.
Meanwhile, the owners of the Galaxy Leader, a car carrier abducted with its crew more than 160 days ago, have urged the Houthis to free the crew. “Sadly, the crew seem now forgotten by the outside world and are serving no purpose whatsoever in furthering the Houthis cause, so once again the call is going out, asking the Houti leadership to be human , and release the 25 crew members being held for no good cause, so they can return to their loved ones,” a statement from the ship’s owner read.
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a pro-Israel American think tank, has been tallying all merchant ship attacks over the past seven months.