Seatrade Maritime: Houthi claim attack on MSC Aby

Ship calls Jeddah despite Houthi claim of successful attack using “two drones and a winged missile”.

The Houthi claim to have launched a successful attack on containership MSC Aby using “two drones and a winged missile,” although the vessel appears to have reached its port of destination.

AIS data shows the ship has reached Jeddah in Saudi Arabia after sailing from Port Said in Egypt. UKMTO, a provider of security alerts and reporting from the region, carries no reports related to the incident.

Houthi reports of its own attacks are not consistently reliable. Earlier this week, the Houthi claimed to have made a direct hit on tanker Scarlet Ray with a ballistic missile, although the ship reported a nearby splash with no damage to the ship or crew, and continued on its way.

The Houthi report included no date information for the alleged attack. According to AIS data, MSC Aby arrived at Jeddah in Saudi Arabia at 0742 hrs on September 2 after sailing from Port Said in Egypt.

Until earlier this week, the ship’s route through the Suez Canal to Jeddah would have been entirely north of the northernmost reported Houthi attack on shipping. The attack on tanker Scarlet Ray on 31 August set a new northern marker for the Houthi’s range, placing the approach to Jeddah well within the Yemeni group’s area of operation.

The Houthi claim to only target vessels with ties to Israel, those calling Israel, and those owned by companies serving Israeli ports. From AIS data, MSC Aby has no recent port calls in Israel, but called Ashdod in 2023.

MSC vessels routinely serve Israeli ports, perhaps explaining the Houthi’s decision to target MSC Aby in the alleged attack. Services calling Israel include the transatlantic EMUSA service connecting the US East Coast to the Mediterranean. AIS data shows MSC Melani III called Israel’s Haifa port on September 1, and both MSC Mombasa and MSC Zoe are en route to Ashdod.

MSC vessels have been the target of Houthi attacks around a dozen times in the past due to the group’s perception of a link between the Italian container line and Israel, a tally that includes multiple successful attacks. MSC Tavvishi sustained damage during an attack in June 2024, and MSC Sky II was struck in March 2024 causing a fire.

MSC did not immediately respond to an approach for comment.