The Houthis have attacked a container vessel operated by French shipping company CMA CGM.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said that it was informed around 10.30am local time today (19 July) that the 2001-built Singapore-flagged 2,078 TEU Lobivia was struck by unidentified projectiles while transiting the Gulf of Aden.
The resulting fire onboard was extinguished by the 24-man crew.
UK maritime security consultancy Ambrey said that Lobivia, which had three armed guards on board, was moving in the northeastern direction in the Gulf of Aden when “light and blast” was seen around the ship’s location. The ship was sailing from Djibouti to Colombo, Sri Lanka, at the time of the incident.
Lobivia seemed to have moved to avoid further attacks and turned off its automatic identification system (AIS) about an hour later.
MPA said none of the crew were hurt and Lobivia is moving unassisted and has arrived at Berbera Port, Somalia to assess the damage and repairs needed.
MPA is in contact with the vessel manager to provide any assistance required. The Republic of Singapore Navy’s Information Fusion Centre has alerted its security partners in the Gulf of Aden region to provide any assistance required.
Lobivia is owned by Asiatic Lloyd, a Singapore-based German-owned tonnage provider.
According to EconDB, CMA CGM has chartered Lobivia to run the India-Gulf-Red Sea Express service. The French carrier has not responded to Container News’ request for comment.
Coincidentally, in February, Lobivia helped to evacuate 24 seafarers from the Greek-owned bulk carrier Rubymar, which became the first ship to sink after a Houthi attack.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
