A drone and speedboat attack on the Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated bulk carrier Eternity C off the coast of Yemen has resulted in the deaths of four seafarers, marking a stark escalation in tensions in the Red Sea following months of relative calm. The attack occurred just hours after the Iran-aligned Houthi militia claimed responsibility for a separate incident involving another vessel, the MV Magic Seas, which they alleged sank during their strike.
The Eternity C, which had a crew of 22—comprising 21 Filipinos and one Russian—was targeted with sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades, leading to critical injuries among the crew. Reports indicate that one injured crew member later died, bringing the death toll associated with Red Sea shipping attacks since November 2023 to eight. Two additional crew members were reported injured during the onslaught. The ship is currently adrift and listing, prompting Greek maritime security firms to prepare a rescue mission.
The Houthi militia’s recent aggressiveness is part of a broader strategy that they claim is aimed at supporting Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict with Israel in Gaza. Since launching attacks on vessels in the Red Sea last November, the militia has disrupted maritime traffic, which has now decreased by roughly 50%. The International Maritime Organization’s Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez condemned the resumption of attacks, labeling them as violations of international law that primarily affect innocent seafarers and surrounding populations.
The attack on the Eternity C and the earlier one on the Magic Seas come against a backdrop of the Houthis’ continued assertion that they will target vessels linked to Israel. Although they reached a ceasefire with the U.S. in May, their recent actions suggest no change in intent. Both attacked vessels had previously been associated with Israeli ports, igniting concerns regarding elevated risks for shipping in the region, particularly for vessels with perceived ties to Israel.
The Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers has advised Filipino seafarers—who are among the world’s largest maritime labor pools—to reconsider their deployments in what are categorized as “high-risk, war-like” areas, including the Red Sea. Industry leaders anticipate that the recent surge in attacks will not significantly shift current shipping practices.
Overall, the events underscore a volatile security landscape in the Red Sea, tailing nearly a year of increased Houthi activity that has left the region’s commercial shipping moving at significantly reduced levels, reflecting the unpredictable nature of security in these waters.
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