The Indian-flagged cargo vessel Faize Noore Oliya sank near Yemen on Monday after an apparent attack, with all 14 crew members rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard.
India’s Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, said a projectile struck the mechanized sailing vessel near Yemeni waters, causing it to capsize and sink.
The Yemeni Coast Guard brought the rescued seafarers, including 13 Indian nationals, to the Port of Mokha. No casualties were reported.
Sonowal condemned the incident and said India’s Director General Maritime Administration had been directed to coordinate with relevant agencies on the safety of Indian seafarers in the region and assistance for the rescued crew.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs also called for attacks on commercial shipping in the region to end. The ministry said free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways should be restored in accordance with international law.
Maritime intelligence company Windward said its analysis indicated that Faize Noore Oliya appeared to have been struck by an explosives-laden boat about 13 nautical miles south of Hodeidah on 4 August.
No group has claimed responsibility. Windward said the location and apparent method were consistent with earlier Houthi operations, while noting that attribution had not been confirmed.
The sinking followed a Houthi claim last week that the group had attacked the Saudi-flagged chemical and products tanker NCC GHAZAL. The Houthis said the vessel had breached what they describe as a maritime blockade of Saudi ports.
Maritime security analysts said NCC GHAZAL was reportedly struck by anti-ship missiles in the southern Red Sea and forced to turn back. Saudi authorities have not confirmed the claim.
The incident also came after India’s Director General Maritime Administration advised Indian shipping companies last month to exercise heightened caution near the Strait of Hormuz and other high-risk waters.
