The Indian Coast Guard ship Vikram is accompanying the 'MV Chem Pluto' in the Arabian Sea. Photographer: Special Arrangement


According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), a Gabon-flagged crude oil tanker m.v Sai Baba with an Indian crew on its route to India was hit by a one-way attack drone in the Southern Red Sea, although no injuries were recorded.


“At approximately 8 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Naval Forces Central Command received reports from two ships in the Southern Red Sea that they were under attack,” CENTCOM said on social media platform X on Sunday. The USS Laboon responded to the distress calls from these attacks, it stated.
These are the 14th and 15th strikes on commercial vessels carried out by Houthi rebels since October 17. The other vessel is the m.v. BLAAMANEN, a Norwegian-flagged, owned, and operated chemical/oil tanker that had a close call with a Houthi one-way attack drone but suffered no injuries or damage.


According to defence sources, the vessel is Gabonese-flagged, and the classifying society for registration is the Indian Registrar of Shipping. According to reports, the tanker is controlled by an Indian corporation and is crewed entirely by Indians. "All crew are safe, and the vessel is heading towards India," a source close to the situation said.


Also on Saturday, two Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched from Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen towards international maritime routes in the Southern Red Sea, according to CENTOM, adding that no ships were hit by the ballistic missiles. The USS Laboon was patrolling in the Southern Red Sea as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG) between 3 and 8 p.m. (Sanaa time) and shot down four unmanned aerial drones coming from Houthi-controlled regions in Yemen that were inbound to the USS Laboon, according to the statement.
Since the start of Israeli operations in Gaza, assaults on commercial vessels from Houthi-held parts of Yemen have increased significantly.

A new security programme has been launched.


In response to an increase in missile and drone attacks from Houthi-held areas in Yemen, which endangers the free flow of commerce in the Red Sea, U.S. Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin announced the launch of Operation Prosperity Guardian on December 18, a "important new multinational security initiative under the umbrella of the combined maritime forces and the leadership of its Task Force 153, which focuses on security in the Red Sea."

The Liberian-flagged m.v. Chem Pluto was struck by a suspected drone just outside the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on Saturday morning and is presently en route to Mumbai, escorted by the Indian Coast Guard ship Vikram. Chem Pluto, run by a Dutch corporation, had a 21-person crew, 20 Indians and one Vietnamese, and was 217 nautical miles off the coast of Porbandar in the Arabian Sea when it was attacked.

Chem Pluto is set to arrive in Mumbai on Monday. The Navy stated in a statement that a naval explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialist will board the m.v Chem Pluto upon its arrival in Mumbai to disinfect the vessel and conduct further investigation.

According to the Navy, the Chem Pluto was reported on fire after being hit by a projectile about 0745 h on Saturday, "likely a missile or drone," and a Naval marine patrol aircraft overflew the vessel around 1315h and made contact with the crew. "At 1930h, INS Mormugao made contact with Chem Pluto to see if any assistance was required." The ICGS Vikram, which was also present at the scene, was told to accompany the vessel to Mumbai," the Navy claimed.