Red Sea and Gulf of Aden update - updated 3 October 2025

3 October 2025

On 29 September, the cargo vessel Minervagracht was struck by a missile fired by the Houthis following discharge operations in Djibouti. Two seafarers were seriously injured in this attack, the ship caught fire and the vessel was abandoned. Salvage of this vessel in the Gulf of Aden continues.

It will be recalled that this ship reported a splash and explosion near to the vessel on 24 September. The ship was ruled out as being the target of this missile due to the lack of any identified link with Israel. Neither the ship nor company had any involvement with Israel.

On the 30 September, the Houthis announced that they would target any vessel involved in the carriage of US crude oil or have links to US oil companies. Even though the attack took place before this announcement, no link could be found to this issue.

Therefore, at the time of writing, it is unknown why the Houthis selected this ship for targeting.

For ships operating in the region the following advice remains:

• Continue to apply the Best Management Practices for Maritime Security (note, use the updated version as BMP5 has been withdrawn);
• Consider that the Houthi targeting matrix is unknown and subject to change without notice;
• Ensure that the voyage risk assessment takes into account the capability and intent of the Houthis to attack ships along the entire length of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden which fall within their targeting matrix;
• Ensure reporting procedures are being complied with as per the ship security plans;
• Ensure that the crew understand and practise the procedures to be applied in the event of a security incident (drone attack, helicopter boarding etc);
• Ensure the JMIC bridge procedure cards are available on the bridge and crew are familiar with them;
• Navigate as far from Iran and Yemen as possible, whilst in compliance with the collision regulations;
• The MSTC-ME may be considered but navigation and collision avoidance care is necessary in congested waters especially south of Abu Musa Island and anchorages off UAE;
• Treat GNSS data as potentially impacted and unreliable;
• Register with UKMTO and request support from Aspides if necessary; andReport any suspicious activity to UKMTO.

Contact: Phil Belcher

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