On Aug 7, 2024, Houthi terrorists said they attacked the 'Contship Uno' in the Gulf of Aden with ballistic missiles as well as two American destroyers. A speaker also said that the Houthi air force targeted the US destroyer, “Cole”, with a number of drones and the US destroyer, “Laboon” with a number of ballistic missiles. Contships Management said the vessel had not been hit and its crew were safe. U.S. military forces have struck at targets in Houthi-controlled Yemen in the past 24 hours, destroying two drones, a Houthi ground control station, and three anti-ship cruise missiles, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
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GALAXY LEADER
The Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has reported ongoing efforts to secure the release of 17 Filipino crew members of the 'Galaxy Leader'. Three sailors were showing malaria symptoms and have been hospitalized. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac provided updates during the News Forum in Quezon City on Aug 3, stating that the three ailing crew members were receiving medical care in a hospital, while the remaining 14 crew members were still on board the vessel, being fed and given their basic necessities on board the ship. The release of three hospitalized crew members was under negotiation, with the Department of Foreign Affairs engaging with governments that have communication channels with the Houthi terrorists and coordinating with the DMW for information and assistance. The Honorary Consul to Yemen Mohammad Saleh Al-Jamal was also seeking assistance from the Sana’a authorities for the release of Filipino crew members on humanitarian grounds due to their deteriorating health. He was planning to visit the 'Galaxy Leader', his first visit in about three months.
EARTH HARMONY
On July 21, 2024, at 3.40 a.m. the 'Earth Harmony‘ was boarded by three perpetrators armed with knives, at the Kuala Tanjung Anchorage in pos. 3° 26 N 99° 27' E. The crew was tied up, and the intruders stole engine spares. and escaped.
MSC ARIES
The three remaining Filipino crew members of the 'MSC Aries', have been released by the Iranian authorities. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) made the announcement on Aug 3. The MSC Aries was seized by Iranian authorities on April 13 while navigating the Strait of Hormuz, near the Gulf of Oman. Iran claimed that the container ship had links to Israel, coinciding with a mass drone attack launched by Iranian forces against Israel.
ULTRA COLONSAY
On Aug 6, 2024, while the 'Ultra Colonsy' was sailing around 4.3 nautical miles from Pulau Cula in the Eastbound lane of the Traffic separation scheme of the Strait of Malacca and Singapore, the bulk carrier was boarded by a group of five to six armed robbers with knives, who were sighted in the engine room. Immediately, the alarm was raised, and the robbers escaped, stealing engine spare parts and the cellphone of a chief engineer. No injuries were reported, and the incident was reported to the Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System. The vessel was boarded by the Singapore Police Guard upon its arrival at the Singapore Anchorage, but found no perpetrators aboard.