Yemen Monitor/Newsroom:
The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) of the Combined Maritime Forces announced that the fire that broke out on board the Hong Kong-flagged container ship ASL BAUHINIA in the Red Sea is not related to the activities of the armed Houthi group.
The incident occurred in the early hours of January 28, 2025, when the crew discovered a fire on deck approximately 122 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah, Yemen.
After unsuccessful attempts to contain the fire, the crew was forced to abandon ship and were safely rescued by a nearby vessel.
The JMIC stated that “the incident is not related to Houthi targeting,” noting that the cause is still under investigation pending rescue operations.
ASL BAUHINIA, weighing 1,930 TEU and built in 2022, was en route from Jebel Ali to Aqaba via the Suez Canal at the time of the incident. Initial reports from security sources indicate that the fire may have originated from an explosion involving a dangerous cargo.
This incident coincides with the anticipated gradual resumption of shipping services through the region, following recent developments in the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The JMIC advised vessels in the vicinity of ASL BAUHINIA to report their positions to the UKMTO.
