Missile Hits Container Ship Vela Nova Off Pakistan. Projectile Strike Kills Crew in Bab el-Mandeb

GULF OF OMAN / BAB EL-MANDEB — Two commercial vessels were struck on August 11 in separate incidents confirmed by both the Joint Maritime Information Center and United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations.

In the Gulf of Oman, the container ship Vela Nova was hit by a missile fired from a helicopter. The vessel was 71 nautical miles from the Pakistani coast when the strike occurred. The master reported damage to the stern and steering compartment.

The ship lost steering control and a fire broke out. The fire was later extinguished. All crew members were accounted for and none were injured.

Bab el-Mandeb: Cargo Vessel Hit By Projectile 5.8 Nautical Miles Off Yemen Coast

In the Bab el-Mandeb, a general cargo ship (name withheld by JMIC) was hit amidships by an unknown projectile while stationary 5.8 nautical miles from the Yemeni coast. The explosion started a fire.

Two fatalities and four additional casualties were reported. Yemeni navy forces that moved in to assist came under fire and suffered one casualty of their own.

UKMTO had earlier issued Advisory 109-26 on the Gulf of Oman incident and Warning 110-26 on the Bab el-Mandeb strike. JMIC Update 083 later issued the vessel name Vela Nova and the first official casualty figures for the second event.

A Yemeni transport ministry statement carried the same day named the Bab el-Mandeb vessel Tihamah, attributed the attack to Houthi forces using three ballistic missiles (plus a fourth during rescue), and reported three Pakistanis and one Indonesian killed with four others injured.

JMIC does not name the vessel or attribute the attack and records a lower fatality count. No Houthi claim of responsibility and no statement from U.S. Central Command appear in the official products covering these events.

What Happened

• At approximately 7:58 a.m. UTC on August 11, the container ship Vela Nova was hit by a missile from a helicopter while transiting westbound through the Gulf of Oman, 71 nautical miles from the Pakistani coast. The master confirmed damage to the stern and steering compartment, loss of command, and a fire that was later extinguished. All crew were safe and uninjured. UKMTO had issued Advisory 109-26 earlier that morning.

• On August 11, a general cargo ship (name withheld) was hit amidships by an unknown projectile while stationary in the Bab el-Mandeb, 5.8 nautical miles from the Yemeni coast. The explosion caused a fire. Two fatalities and four casualties were reported. Yemeni navy forces assisting the vessel came under fire and suffered one casualty. UKMTO issued Warning 110-26 on the event.

• A Yemeni transport ministry statement the same day named the Bab el-Mandeb vessel Tihamah, attributed the strike to Houthi forces, and reported four crew killed (three Pakistanis and one Indonesian) with four injured. These details are not carried by JMIC or UKMTO.

Official Statements

• UKMTO Advisory 109-26, August 11: “UKMTO have received a report of an incident involving a container ship and military forces in the Gulf of Oman. Vessels are advised to consider the latest maritime security information and maintain awareness of the evolving operational environment. Authorities are aware and relevant investigations remain ongoing.”

• UKMTO Warning 110-26, August 11: “UKMTO has been informed of an incident off the coast of Al Mokha, Yemen. It has been reported that a cargo vessel in the Southern Red Sea has been hit by an unknown projectile resulting in casualties. Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.”

• JMIC Update 083 (Vela Nova): “At 0758 A shipping company reported at 0758 that the Vessel Vela Nova was hit by a missile from a helicopter. UKMTO called Vela Nova and the Master confirmed that his vessel has been hit in the stern, steering compartment and stated the vessel is no longer under command. The explosion caused a fire that has now been extinguished. All crew are accounted for and there are no injuries.”

• JMIC Update 083 (Bab el-Mandeb): “On 11 August UKMTO received a report from local authorities that a vessel had been hit by an unknown projectile striking the vessel midships, the explosion caused a fire, unknown if the fire is under control. There are two reported fatalities so far, there are four reported casualties. The Yemeni navy went to assist and came under fire, 1 casualty was reported.”