Aerial Attack - Gulf of Aden, 120NM east-southeast of Aden, Yemen

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Incident Details

Incident Date & Time:

23 September 2025, 0320hrs UTC

Location:

Gulf of Aden, 120NM east-southeast of Aden, Yemen

Latitude/Longitude: 

12° 37' 6.00" N, 47° 5' 30.00" E

Vessel Type, Flag and Status:

General Cargo Vessel, Netherlands, Underway

Incident Type:

Aerial Attack

Crew status

No injuries reported

Incident Details

Description

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) received a report from the Master of a Netherlands-flagged General Cargo Vessel, stating that a splash and explosion occurred in close proximity to the vessel. The incident took place while the vessel was underway approximately 120NM east-southeast of Aden, Yemen. The vessel and crew are reported safe, and the ship is continuing to her next port of call.

Response Actions

- Security Incident Reported
- UKMTO

Stolen items

- None

Key findings

This incident bears the hallmarks of a possible missile or drone attack, given the reported splash and explosion near the vessel. The location, approximately 120NM from the Yemeni coast, suggests the attack may have originated from Yemen, potentially by Houthi forces known to target commercial shipping in the region. The fact that only a single explosion was reported, and that it occurred near but not on the vessel, could indicate either a warning shot, an inaccurate targeting system, or possibly a successful evasive maneuver by the ship. The lack of direct hit and the vessel's ability to continue its journey suggest that the attack was either not intended to cause significant damage or was unsuccessful in its execution.

Recommendations

- Maintain heightened vigilance and maximize speed when transiting this area.

- Implement zigzag patterns and utilize the full width of the traffic separation scheme.

- Ensure AIS is transmitting correctly but consider switching to low power mode in high-risk areas.

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Disclaimer
You have received this report as part of your organisation’s subscription. Castor Vali assessment and advice is given based on the information received and processed by us and the surrounding circumstances known to us to exist at the time. Subsequent changes to relevant information or the surrounding circumstances may affect the reliability of our assessment and advice, but we do not accept responsibility for that effect. We do not accept responsibility for the outcome of any action taken or not taken as a result of our assessment and advice unless the possibility of that action being taken or not taken is set out in specific terms in our instructions.

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