Houthis attack containership in Gulf of Aden

Yemeni militant group the Houthis struck a commercial vessel with a missile in the Gulf of Aden today, hours after claiming to attack a US destroyer in the region.

The vessel reported an explosion on its starboard side, according to marine security firm Ambrey Analytics. The vessel's AIS transponder was switched off, according to Ambrey.

A Houthi spokesperson claimed responsibility for the attack, which it said was on a vessel named Koi. Vessel tracking shows a containership by that name positioned south of Yemen on 28 January.

A ship registry affiliated with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) shows the Koi flies a Liberian flag and is owned by Oceonix Services, listed with a UK address. Oceonix Services also owns the Marlin Luanda, a Trafigura-operated tanker that Houthis attacked on 26 January.

Oceonix is not a well-known shipowner. A vessel's registered owner often has little to do with its commercial management.

By Nicholas Watt and Matthew Mitchell