Attacked tanker lost from Radars.

ATHENS/LONDON, July 3, 2024 (Reuters) – A tanker abandoned off Yemen’s coast in June has disappeared and is believed to have sunk, according to three navy and security sources. The incident marks another maritime casualty in the increasingly volatile Red Sea, a vital corridor for global trade.

The Red Sea, a key shipping route connecting Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal, has become a high-risk zone. Since October, Iran-aligned Houthi militants have launched over 70 attacks on merchant vessels, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

The Fate of the Lavant

The tanker, Lavant, was reported adrift after suffering engine failure and taking on water. Maritime security sources confirmed that the vessel was not believed to be a Houthi target. On June 23, Russian shipping company Sovcomflot responded to a distress call and rescued the crew, who had evacuated in a life raft.

Despite the rescue, the Lavant continued to drift for several days before vanishing. Sources now believe it sank, although it remains unclear whether the vessel was carrying fuel. Attempts to contact the ship’s owner have been unsuccessful.

Escalating Threats in the Red Sea

The Lavant’s disappearance adds to a growing list of maritime incidents in the region. Houthi militants have so far:

• Sunk two vessels
• Seized one ship
• Killed at least three seafarers
• Held the crew of another ship hostage

The Verbena, another cargo ship attacked with anti-ship cruise missiles, remains afloat but abandoned, awaiting salvage.

Strategic and Economic Implications

The Red Sea crisis has forced many shipping companies to reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, adding 10–14 days to transit times and significantly increasing fuel and insurance costs. According to the Atlas Institute, traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Suez Canal dropped by over 50% in early 2024.

This disruption has had ripple effects across global supply chains, particularly in industries reliant on just-in-time logistics, such as automotive and electronics manufacturing.

Industry and Government Response

In response to the crisis, international coalitions have launched naval operations like Operation Prosperity Guardian and EU’s Operation Aspides to protect commercial vessels. However, attacks persist, highlighting the limitations of military deterrence.

For a deeper dive into the broader geopolitical context, read Rising Tensions in the Middle East Impacting Maritime Routes and Shipping Threats Around the Arabian Peninsula on Maritime-Hub.