The Magic Seas, a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned, 63,301 dwt bulk carrier, was severely damaged in a coordinated maritime assault off the coast of Yemen on Sunday, marking the first Houthi attack on merchant ships this year, and setting back any plans for a significant return of the global merchant fleet to the Suez Canal.
The vessel, owned by Allseas Marine, was forced to abandon ship after being hit by multiple sea drones, with all crewmembers safely rescued by a passing merchant ship, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and maritime security firm Ambrey.
The assault unfolded approximately 52 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah, a port city in western Yemen. It involved a multi-stage attack that began with eight small boats firing gunshots and rocket-propelled grenades, followed by a barrage from four unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). Two of the drones reportedly struck the port side of the vessel, causing significant cargo damage and triggering a fire onboard.
While no group immediately claimed responsibility, Ambrey assessed the attack as consistent with the “Houthi target profile,” and the Yemeni militia later confirmed on its Al Ansar Telegram channel that the vessel met its criteria for targeting.
“Four naval drones attacked a ship,” the Houthis said in their statement. “Our assessment indicates that the attacked ship meets the Yemeni criteria for targeting ships. Two naval drones collided with the left side of the ship, causing damage to its cargo.”
The attack highlights a potential breakdown of the ceasefire understanding brokered in May, in which president Donald Trump’s administration agreed to pause US strikes on Houthi positions after assurances that the group would halt interference with commercial shipping in key Middle East lanes.
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.
The incident comes amid escalating regional instability following the Israel-Iran conflict and US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June. The Houthis had previously warned they would resume attacks on US shipping if Washington became directly involved in hostilities with Iran, though it remains unclear whether this attack signals a formal return to hostilities or is part of a new asymmetric campaign. Meanwhile, Israel has overnight struck various Houthi-controlled ports in Yemen as well as targeting the Galaxy Leader, a Japanese-owned car carrier seized by the Houthis 20 months ago.
Since November 2023, the Houthis have carried out over 100 attacks on commercial shipping, resulting in two vessels sunk, one seized, and at least four seafarers killed. The offensive has disrupted global trade routes, forced major carriers to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope.
Prior to the Magic Seas attack yesterday,, the last confirmed Houthi assault on a merchant vessel occurred on December 26, 2024. In that incident, the MSC United VIII was targeted by a naval missile launched by Houthi forces in the Red Sea.
