The event marks the latest attack on commercial shipping by the Houthis in and around the Red Sea. The tanker, known as Marlin Luanda, is being operated by Oceonix Services Ltd, a UK registered company, according to the BBC.
According to ALINDIEN, the French Joint Forces Command for the Indian Ocean area, French, Indian and US naval ships provided assistance to the vessel. ALINDIEN issued the following statement today:
Abu Dhabi, January 27, 2024
Attack on the oil tanker Marlin Luanda in the Gulf of Aden.
On the night of Friday January 26 to Saturday January 27, 2024, the oil tanker Marlin Luanda, flying the Marshall Islands flag, was the victim of a missile attack from Yemen which caused a violent fire on board.
The multi-mission frigate with enhanced air defense capability (FREMM-DA) Alsace, which was patrolling about one hundred kilometers away, intervened immediately, followed by the American frigate USS Carney to provide assistance to the building.
The two French and American vessels, then joined by the Indian frigate Visakhapatnam, supported the crew throughout the night and the morning of Saturday January 27 by providing them with large quantities of high-efficiency foam concentrate to fight this oil fire, until its extinction. The fire was brought under control after 20 hours of fighting. The crew of the Marlin Luanda made up of Indian and Sri Lankan sailors is safe and sound.
FREMM-DA Alsace has been engaged in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since January 20, 2024 in order to contribute to maritime security and the freedom of navigation of vessels subject to a threat from the Houthis.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) issued the following statement:
On Jan. 26, at approximately 7:45 p.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists fired one anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and struck the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker M/V Marlin Luanda. The ship issued a distress call and reported damage. USS Carney (DDG 64) and other coalition ships have responded and are rendering assistance. No injuries have been reported at this time.
The Indian Navy issued the following statement:
In addition, the US and UK this morning have launched additional air strikes on Houthi targets, according to CENTCOM:
On Jan. 27 at approximately 3:45 a.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command Forces conducted a strike against a Houthi anti-ship missile aimed into the Red Sea and which was prepared to launch. U.S. Forces identified the missile in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, and determined it presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the U.S. Navy ships in the region. U.S. Forces subsequently struck and destroyed the missile in self-defense. This action will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy vessels and merchant vessels.
Earlier this week, the heads of French, US & UK navies agreed that sustained presence will build deterrence against attacks on maritime traffic in the red sea, during the Paris Naval Conference.
