Danish shipping giant Maersk refuted claims that a drone struck its container vessel off Yemen’s coast. News agencies reported on the incident, with Reuters noting the event in coverage of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait area.
In statements issued on Thursday, the Ansarullah movement, commonly known as the Houthi group and in control of northern Yemen, claimed involvement in an attack on a Maersk container ship operating in the Bab al-Mandeb corridor.
Contrasting these assertions, a Maersk spokesperson said the ship did not suffer a hit. According to an unnamed U.S. official cited by the Associated Press, a missile was fired from territory controlled by the Houthis toward the Hong Kong-flagged Maersk Gibraltar in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, but it failed to strike its target.
The vessel involved was en route from the Sultanate of Oman toward Saudi Arabia.
Earlier reports indicated that on December 14 the ship was located roughly 1,296 thousand kilometers east of Bosaso in Somalia.
On December 11, Houthis carried out another attack on a commercial vessel sailing through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. An anti-ship cruise missile was launched toward a passing ship, and a U.S. Navy destroyer provided assistance to the crew of the affected vessel.
The United States previously signaled readiness to consider additional measures in response to Houthi actions in the region.
Observers note that the Bab al-Mandeb Strait remains a critical chokepoint for global trade, linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. Shipping companies continue to monitor safety conditions as tension remains elevated in the area. Analysts emphasize that independent verification of battlefield claims is challenging, and official statements from involved parties are often issued with strategic messaging in mind.
For Maersk, the incident underscores the persistent risk faced by international shipping routes near the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Aden. The company has a global network that remains active in the region, coordinating with maritime authorities to ensure crew safety and cargo security.
Experts advise that the evolving situation warrants careful scrutiny of all official statements, corroboration from multiple sources, and ongoing updates from international naval forces operating near Yemen. The dynamic security landscape in this corridor continues to influence insurance considerations, routing choices, and the broader outlook for maritime commerce in the Red Sea region.