Dutch Cargo Ship Minervagracht Attacked in Gulf of Aden, Two Crew Injured

Dutch Cargo Ship Hit by Missile in Gulf of Aden

The Minervagracht, a Dutch-flagged general cargo ship, came under missile attack in the Gulf of Aden on Monday, September 29, 2025. The incident, which occurred approximately 128 nautical miles (237 km) southeast of the Yemeni port city of Aden, caused substantial damage to the vessel and ignited a fire on board. Two crew members sustained injuries, and the entire 19-person crew was subsequently evacuated by helicopter to nearby vessels.

Houthi Rebels Suspected in Attack

Yemen's Houthi rebels are suspected of carrying out the attack, though they did not immediately claim responsibility. The French military's Maritime Information, Cooperation and Awareness Center (MICA Centre) and other officials attributed the assault to the Iranian-backed group. The vessel's Amsterdam-based operator, Spliethoff, confirmed that the Minervagracht was in international waters when it was struck by an 'unidentified explosive device.' The Houthis have previously stated their intention to target vessels they perceive as having links to Israel, in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict. However, the U.S. Navy-overseen Joint Maritime Information Center indicated that the Minervagracht had 'no Israeli affiliations.'

Crew Evacuated Amidst Fire

Following the missile strike, the Minervagracht was reported to be on fire and adrift. The two injured crew members' conditions were not immediately known. The crew, comprising individuals from Russia, Ukraine, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, was safely evacuated. The EU maritime mission Aspides confirmed the evacuation and noted that a warship was en route to the scene.

Second Incident for Minervagracht

This marks the second time the Minervagracht has been targeted within a week. On September 23, 2025, the vessel reported a near-miss incident in the Gulf of Aden, where a projectile landed approximately two nautical miles from the ship, causing no damage or injuries. The repeated targeting of the Minervagracht, a 2011-built general cargo ship measuring 142.1 meters in length, remains unclear given its reported lack of Israeli ties.