All 19 crew members aboard the Dutch-flagged cargo ship MV Minervagracht have been safely evacuated after the vessel was struck by an explosive device in the Gulf of Aden, Spliethoff confirmed on September 30.
The ship, en route eastbound from Djibouti without cargo, sustained significant damage and caught fire following the blast. Two seafarers were injured during the incident and are receiving medical treatment aboard nearby vessels that assisted in the evacuation.
Spliethoff stated that it is working with international authorities and maritime specialists to secure the vessel. The company expressed “deep concern” over the attack and emphasized its ongoing support for the affected crew members and their families.
The incident underscores rising security risks in the Gulf of Aden, a critical maritime route already notorious for piracy and recent geopolitical tensions.
