An unidentified unmanned cargo vessel has been declared a total loss following multiple projectile strikes in the southern Red Sea off Yemen.

The incident was reported at 1100 hours on 17 August 2026. Local authorities placed the vessel about 40 nautical miles southeast of Al Mokha.

The ship suffered extensive damage after being hit by several projectiles of unknown origin. UK Maritime Trade Operations said the vessel was subsequently assessed as a total loss.

No details have been released on the ship’s identity or the cargo it was carrying. UKMTO advised vessels in the area to maintain caution and notify the relevant authorities of suspicious activity or objects.

The attack occurred as commercial traffic through the southern Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb had already fallen following the Houthis’ move to block Saudi shipping in the Red Sea from 20 July 2026.

Other attacks have since been reported around Al Mokha. Earlier in August, Tihama came under attack while sailing off the Yemeni port.

In a new advisory, the Joint Maritime Information Center said Al-Mokha Port remained shut to commercial traffic after more than 25 cumulative missile impacts and fires at berths. JMIC said commercial logistics still operating in the lower Red Sea were using alternative routes.

JMIC categorised the maritime threat in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb as substantial. The organisation classified the threat in the Strait of Hormuz as severe.

Separate security incidents were also reported elsewhere. On 17 August, cargo vessel Lutuf was hijacked by eight pirates off Somalia.

The source also reported that piracy had increased as vessels took longer routes around Africa to avoid areas where attacks were feared in the Strait of Hormuz, Red Sea and Persian Gulf.

In another incident, a bulk carrier was attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz along the coast of Oman. One seafarer was killed.