Houthis strike bulk carrier in Gulf of Aden: Update

Adds ship evacuated, drifting

A bulk cargo carrier struck by Yemen-based Houthi militants in the Gulf of Aden has been abandoned and is drifting, according to UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

The Ukrainian-owned, Polish-operated Verbena was hit three times by missiles, US Central Command (Centcom) said earlier today. The Palau-flagged bulker most recently docked in Malaysia and was headed to Italy carrying wood construction material, according to Centcom.

UKMTO said the ship's crew has been evacuated by military authorities and Verbena is now drifting, unlit. UKMTO urged caution in the area.

A Houthi unmanned surface vessel struck the Greek-owned and operated bulk carrier Tutor in the Red Sea on 12 June, which resulted in severe flooding and damage to the engine room. Tutor most recently docked in Russia, according to Centcom. It was heading to Jordan's Aqaba port, according to global trade analytics platform Kpler, with its last known cargo being corn.

By Tng Yong Li and Ben Winkley