The Indian Navy’s guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam, deployed in the Gulf of Aden for anti-piracy operations, responded to a distress call from the British oil tanker MV Marlin Luanda on the night of 26 January after an alleged Houthi anti-ship missile hit it.
Since the Israel-Hamas conflict began on 7 October, the Houthi rebels have begun attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea with missiles and drones. The Iran-backed Yemeni militants have made clear their support for Hamas and opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
What Happened?
According to a statement released by US Central Command (CENTCOM), the Houthis launched an Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM) in the Gulf of Aden, targeting the Marshall Islands-flagged, Bermuda-owned MV Marlin Luanda. The vessel was transporting a commercial cargo of Naphtha, a highly flammable liquid hydrogen combination. Following the missile attack, a major fire erupted in one of the cargo holds.
CENTCOM stated that the USS Carney (DDG 64), the French Navy Frigate FS Alsace (D656), and the Indian Navy Frigate INS Visakhapatnam (DD66) all responded immediately, providing essential firefighting equipment and assistance to the civilian crew. The crew of the British oil tanker Marlin Luanda comprised 22 Indians and one Bangladeshi.
“Thanks to this rapid response by the US, Indian and French navies, the fire is now extinguished. There were no casualties in the attack, the ship remains seaworthy, and has returned to its previous course,” CENTCOM wrote on X. “These unlawful actions have nothing to do with the conflict in Gaza. Neither the vessel nor its crew have any affiliation to Israel. The Houthis have fired indiscriminately into the Red Sea, targeting vessels impacting over 40 countries around the world,” the statement read.
Houthis Strike M/V Marlin Luanda Operating in the Gulf of Aden
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 27, 2024
On Jan. 26, at approximately 7:45 p.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists fired one anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and struck the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker M/V… pic.twitter.com/Mw3Mg138cy
Indian Navy’s Response
On Friday night, the Indian Navy’s guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam, which was deployed in the Gulf of Aden, responded to a distress call from the MV Marlin Luanda.
“The firefighting efforts onboard the distressed Merchant Vessel is being augmented by the NBCD team along with firefighting equipment, deployed by INS Visakhapatnam to assist the crew onboard the MV,” the Indian Navy wrote on X.
According to an Indian Navy statement, the fire on the MV has been put out. In response to the vessel master’s request, a firefighting crew from INS Visakhapatnam, comprising 10 Indian naval troops and specialist equipment, boarded the ship in the early hours of Saturday.
“After six hours of battling the fire along with the crew of the MV, the fire fighting team has successfully brought the fire under control. The team is currently monitoring the situation to rule out any possibility of reignition,” the statement read.
“The Indian Navy remains steadfast and committed to safeguarding MVs (merchant vessels) and ensuring the safety of life at sea,” an Indian Navy spokesperson remarked.
#IndianNavy's Guided missile destroyer, #INSVisakhapatnam, deployed in the #GulfofAden responded to a distress call from MV #MarlinLuanda on the night of #26Jan 24.
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) January 27, 2024
The fire fighting efforts onboard the distressed Merchant Vessel is being augmented by the NBCD team along with… pic.twitter.com/meocASF2Lo
Houthi, UK Remarks
Yemen’s Houthi rebels said their naval forces targeted the “British oil tanker Marlin Luanda” in the Gulf of Aden. In a statement, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea stated that they used “appropriate naval missiles, the strike was direct.”
The UK government has stated that Britain and its allies “reserve the right to respond appropriately” after an oil ship was attacked and set alight off the coast of Yemen.
A UK government spokesperson explained, “We are aware of reports that the M/V Marlin Luanda, a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, has sustained damage from attack in the Gulf of Aden. Current reports suggest no casualties and nearby coalition vessels are on the scene.”
“We have been clear that any attacks on commercial shipping are completely unacceptable and that the UK and our allies reserve the right to respond appropriately,” the official said.
Indian Navy Enhances Maritime Surveillance
Reports indicate that the incident is the latest in a string of drone and pirate attacks on commerce ships in the region, which includes the Red Sea and portions of the Arabian Sea.
In response to recent attacks on India-bound cargo vessels, the Indian Navy has significantly increased surveillance in the region and deployed task groups with around 10 warships.
In view of the increased maritime security incidents on merchant vessels transiting through international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Central/ North Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy has substantially enhanced maritime surveillance efforts in Central/ North Arabian… pic.twitter.com/Qh5F69z1AO
— ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2023
Somali pirates hijacked the MV Ruen in the Central Arabian Sea, prompting India to send INS Kochi to help. The MV Chem Pluto and the Gabon-flagged MV Saibaba were also attacked by drones in the Arabian and Red Sea, respectively.
In a statement last month, the Indian Navy said the “piracy incident on MV Ruen approximately 700 nautical miles from the Indian coast and recent drone attack on MV Chem Pluto, approximately 220 nautical miles South West of Porbandar indicate a shift in maritime incidents closer to Indian EEZ (exclusive economic zone).”
Additionally, it stated, “Task Groups comprising destroyers and frigates have been deployed to undertake maritime security operations and render assistance to merchant vessels in case of any incident.” The Navy further claimed that to maintain total maritime domain awareness, it has increased aerial surveillance with long-range maritime patrol aircraft and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs).
In December, Indian DM Rajnath Singh stated that the Indian Navy guaranteed that the attackers on the India-bound ship would suffer consequences and would soon be brought to justice for their actions.