A day after the Houthi in Yemen claimed responsibility for the missile attack on the Dutch-flagged Minervagracht the vessel’s owners they are “engaging with international authorities and towage experts to safeguard and secure the vessel”.
Spielthoff said they noted reports that the Houthi had claimed responsibility for the attack on 30 September which saw two crew injured and all 19-crew evacuated by EUNavfor.
Eighteen of the crew were taken on board two vessels belonging to the Greek and French navies. One seafarer who was seriously injured was evacuated to Djibouti by helicopter.
“Spliethoff continues to support the crew of the vessel while meanwhile arrangements are being made for the repatriation of the crew to their country of origin where they will be reunited with their families,” the company said.
The shipowner said the vessel eastbound from Djibouti in international waters in the Gulf of Aden at the time of the attack. The vessel had come under fire six days earlier on 23 September in the Gulf of Aden and AIS tracking information said that it was bound for the Suez Canal. Following the first incident on 23 September the vessel made its way port of Doraleh in Djibouti where it anchored.
