Houthi missile strike prompts Trafigura to assess security risk for Red Sea shipments

Commodity trading firm Trafigura’s fuel tanker Marlin Luanda was struck by a Houthi anti-ship missile in the Gulf of Aden while transiting the Red Sea on Friday.

PHOTO: Trafigura’s tanker Marlin Luanda on fire after being hit by a Houthi missile. Indian Navy posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter)

The vessel caught fire after being struck, but the fire was extinguished by Saturday afternoon with the assistance of Indian, United States, and French naval vessels. All crew members aboard the Marlin Luanda are safe, and the vessel is currently sailing towards a safe harbour.

The vessel was carrying Russian naphtha purchased below the price cap in line with G7 sanctions, Reuters reported citing a Trafigura spokesperson.

Following the attack, Trafigura said it is assessing the potential risks involved in Red Sea voyages.

“No further vessels operating on behalf of Trafigura are currently transiting the Gulf of Aden,” Trafigura said in a statement.

Over the past two months, commercial ships transiting the Red Sea region have come under attack from Houthi militia in response to the Israel-Palestine conflict in Gaza. This crisis has caused many vessels, especially container ships, to take longer routes between Asia and Europe.

By Tuhin Roy

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