MV ISA STAR Cargo Ship Abandoned in the Red Sea After Engine Room Flooding
The Panama-flagged cargo ship MV ISA STAR has been abandoned in the Red Sea after flooding occurred in its engine room, but all 20 crew members have been successfully rescued. The incident took place about 105 nautical miles northwest of Al Hudaydah, Yemen, as reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
On Friday, the UKMTO noted that the vessel was last seen listing and posing a navigation hazard in the strategic Bab-el-Mandeb strait. The EU’s Operation Aspides confirmed on Facebook that all crew members were rescued and would be taken to Djibouti, the nearest safe port.
Source: European Union Naval Force
Initial reports suggest that flooding in the engine room led to the crew abandoning the ship. However, maritime security sources have provided conflicting information, with some citing engine issues and others mentioning an internal explosion.
The incident’s timing and location are particularly sensitive due to a rise in Houthi attacks in the region. Since November 2023, Houthi forces, aligned with Iran, have targeted international shipping near Yemen, claiming solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. Nevertheless, as of Friday, authorities had not linked this incident to Houthi activities.
Maritime authorities are currently investigating the situation, and vessels in the vicinity have been advised to exercise heightened caution and report any suspicious activities to the UKMTO.
