MV Rubymar

Last updated

MV Rubymar
Navire IKARIA ISLAND au port.jpg
The ship as Ikaria Island in 2020
History
Name
  • Rubymar
  • Ikaria Island (2020)
  • Chatham Island (2009)
  • Ken Shin (1997)
Namesake
Owner Golden Adventure Shipping S.A.
Port of registryFlag of Belize.svg  Belize
Completed1997
Identification
FateSunk on 2 March 2024 after being struck by Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile on 18 February 2024
General characteristics
Class and type Bulk carrier
Tonnage19,420  GT
Length171 m (561 ft 0 in)
Beam27 m (88 ft 7 in)
Crew24

MV Rubymar was a Belize-flagged Handymax-size bulk carrier cargo ship completed in 1997. She previously sailed under the names Ken Shin from 1997, Chatham Island from 2009, and Ikaria Island from 2020, before being renamed Rubymar. On 18 February 2024, the ship was struck by a Houthi anti-ship missile during the Red Sea crisis while carrying a cargo of fertilizer. After being adrift for weeks, the ship sank on 2 March as a result of the strike, becoming the first vessel lost due to a Houthi attack during the crisis. The wreck poses a risk to navigation of the Red Sea, and also has the potential to cause environmental damage due to the leakage of its oil and fertilizer.

Contents

Characteristics

Rubymar was a Handymax-size bulk carrier cargo ship of 19,420  gross tonnage  (GT) and 32,211 tons deadweight (DWT). It was 171 metres (561 ft 0 in) long and 27 m (88 ft 7 in) wide, with a draft of 10.4 m (34 ft 1 in). It was equipped with a Mitsubishi engine plant that supplied 7,059  kW (9,466  hp ) of power. [1] [2] The ship was valued at $4.82 million in February 2024 before its sinking. [3]

Ownership

The ownership of Rubymar was complex in 2024. The ship sailed under the flag of Belize, but was managed by the Lebanese GMZ Ship Management Company S.A., for Golden Adventure Shipping S.A., of Majuro, Marshall Islands, [4] who offer a Southampton, United Kingdom, correspondence address for a Lebanese owner. [5] [6]

History

The ship was built in 1997 by the Onomichi dockyard in Kobe, Japan. It was called Ken Shin in 1997, Chatham Island in 2009, and Ikaria Island in 2020, before being renamed Rubymar. [1] In 2022, it took part in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, carrying 35,000 tons of wheat from Ukraine to Egypt during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. [7]

Red Sea attack

Aerial view of oil spilling from the Rubymar after the attack MV Rubymar oil spill.jpg
Aerial view of oil spilling from the Rubymar after the attack

Rubymar was transiting through the Red Sea in February 2024, transporting a cargo of fertilizer from the United Arab Emirates to Bulgaria. [8] The United States Central Command announced that on 18 February, Houthi forces launched two anti-ship missiles at the ship, one of which struck it and caused severe damage. A container ship, the Singapore-flagged Lobivia, and an Operation Prosperity Guardian warship responded to the incident. Lobivia evacuated all 24 crewmembers of Rubymar and took them safely to Djibouti. [8] [9]

The ship was abandoned in the vicinity of the Bab-el-Mandeb following the attack, but did not fully sink. [10] Despite dropping its anchor, by 26 February it had moved more than 70 kilometres (43 mi) while not under command. [11] During this time, its dragging anchor may have damaged several undersea internet cables, disrupting up to a quarter of the internet traffic through the Red Sea's underwater network. [12] In the aftermath of the missile strike, a 29-kilometre (18 mi) long oil slick developed, with continuing oil spillage contributing to what Central Command called an environmental disaster. [13] Furthermore, it was predicted that the cargo of fertilizer could contribute to further damage by causing an algal bloom in the coastal regions near the ship. [14]

Salvage and towing operations were stymied by political barriers in the weeks following the attack. While the United States Navy offered to help tow Rubymar, [11] the nearest port of Djibouti refused to accept the ship because of the risk of explosion from its cargo of fertilizer. [14] Houthi leader Mohammed al-Houthi stated that the group would only allow the ship to be towed if humanitarian aid was supplied to Gaza. [15] By 28 February, the ship was still adrift and waiting to be towed into port, possibly in Saudi Arabia or Yemen. [16]

Sinking

MV Rubymar sinks in the Red Sea on 2 March 2024 MV Rubymar sinks in the Red Sea on 2 March 2024.jpg
MV Rubymar sinks in the Red Sea on 2 March 2024

On 2 March 2024, the internationally recognized Government of Yemen reported that Rubymar sank in the Red Sea. [17] [18] A combination of foul weather and strong winds caused the ship, which was already partially submerged, to fully sink. [19] Rubymar is the first ship to be sunk by Houthi forces since the start of their attacks in the Red Sea. [20]

Environmental impact

Concerns over the potential for environmental damage were renewed following the ship's sinking. The Yemeni government's environmental protection authority warned that the dual threats of the ship's fuel and its fertilizer cargo could impact up to half a million people who depend on fishing in the Red Sea to make a living. [21] The United States Embassy to Yemen echoed the environmental concerns, as well as pointing out the vessel's "risk to safe navigation" for other ships moving through the area. [22]

By 18 March, the International Maritime Organization was still unable to conduct any salvage operations. It stated that while the cargo of fertilizer was contained, the oil slick was the main source of damage to the environment. [23]

Related Research Articles

USS <i>Laboon</i> American guided-missile destroyer

USS Laboon (DDG-58) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She is named for Father John Francis Laboon (1921–1988), a captain in the Chaplain Corps of the United States Navy, who was awarded the Silver Star during World War II while serving on the submarine USS Peto.

USS <i>Mason</i> (DDG-87) American guided missile destroyer

USS Mason (DDG-87) is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy. She is named in honor of the Black crewmembers who served on board USS Mason (DE-529) during the period of racial segregation in the United States Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mediterranean Shipping Company</span> Swiss international shipping line

Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A, branded as MSC, is an international shipping line founded by Gianluigi Aponte in Italy in 1970. The company is owned by the Aponte family with its headquarters in Switzerland since 1978. It is the world's largest container shipping company by both fleet size and cargo capacity, controlling about 19.7 percent of the global container ship fleet.

HMS <i>Diamond</i> (D34) Royal Navy destroyer

HMS Diamond is the third ship of the Type 45 or Daring-class air-defence guided missile destroyers built for the Royal Navy. She was launched in 2007, and completed her contractor's sea trials and arrived at her base port in 2010. Diamond formally entered service in 2011.

Ropucha-class landing ship 1960 class of landing ships

The Ropucha class, Soviet designation Project 775, is a class of landing ship built in Poland for the Soviet Navy. The ships were built in the Stocznia Północna shipyards in Gdańsk, Poland. They were designed for beach landings, and can carry 450 tons of cargo. The ships have both bow and stern doors for loading and unloading vehicles, and the 630 square metres (6,800 sq ft) of vehicle deck stretch the length of the hull. Up to 25 armored personnel carriers can be embarked.

IRIS <i>Alborz</i> (72) Iranian Alvand-class frigate

Alborz is an Alvand-class frigate, Vosper Mark V, of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy. It was supplied to pre-revolutionary Iran's Imperial Iranian Navy by Great Britain, dates back to the time of the Shah of Iran, and was launched in 1969.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Houthi movement</span> Islamist political and military organization in Yemen

The Houthi movement, officially known as Ansar Allah, is a Shia Islamist political and military organization that emerged from Yemen in the 1990s. It is predominantly made up of Zaidi Shias, with their namesake leadership being drawn largely from the Houthi tribe.

An anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) is a military ballistic missile system designed to hit a warship at sea.

FSO Safer is a floating oil storage and offloading vessel that is moored in the Red Sea north of the Yemeni city of Al Hudaydah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Berdiansk port attack</span> 2022 missile strike during the Russian invasion of Ukraine

The Berdiansk port attack was a strike carried out by Ukrainian forces against Russian Navy ships moored in the Port of Berdiansk on 24 March 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Alligator-class landing ship Saratov was sunk, and one of the two Ropucha-class landing ships took damage but was able to leave the port.

Events in the year 2023 in Yemen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Sea crisis</span> Houthi involvement in the Israel–Hamas war

The Red Sea crisis began on 19 October 2023, when the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen launched missiles and armed drones at Israel, demanding an end to the invasion of the Gaza Strip. The Houthis have since seized and launched aerial attacks against merchant and naval vessels in the Red Sea, drawing attacks on missile sites and other targets by US and allied forces. The crisis is linked to the Israel–Hamas war, the Iran–Israel proxy conflict, the Iran–United States proxy conflict, and the Yemeni crisis.

Events in the year 2024 in Yemen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Prosperity Guardian</span> International military operation to protect Red Sea shipping

Operation Prosperity Guardian is a United States-led military operation by a multinational coalition formed in December 2023 to respond to Houthi-led attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

These are timelines of the Red Sea crisis, which began on 19 October 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 missile strikes in Yemen</span> Military strikes conducted by the US and UK against Yemeni Houthis

Since 12 January 2024, the United States and the United Kingdom, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, have launched a series of cruise missile and airstrikes, codenamed Operation Poseidon Archer, against the Houthi movement in Yemen in response to Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The Houthis had previously declared that their attacks are in support of Palestinians during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war; Houthi attacks on shipping were condemned by the United Nations Security Council the day before the initial strike.

MV True Confidence is a Barbados-flagged bulk carrier operated by Third January Maritime a Greek company and owned by True Confidence Shipping a Liberian shipping company. The vessel was attacked on 6 March 2024, causing the first civilian casualties of Houthi attacks on merchant shipping during the Red Sea crisis. At least three crew members of a cargo ship transiting the Red Sea were killed by a missile attack launched by Houthi rebels.

References

  1. 1 2 "Rubymar, Bulk carrier". Baltic Shipping. Archived from the original on 30 January 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  2. ↑ "Rubymar – Dry bulk / Handysize / General cargo – IMO 9138898". Maritime Optima. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  3. ↑ Saul, Jonathan (4 March 2024). "War insurers shrug off Rubymar sinking in Red Sea, rates stable". Reuters. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  4. ↑ "Golden Adventure Shipping SA, Majuro MH, Marshall Islands | World Shipping Register". world-ships.com. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  5. ↑ "Sunken Rubymar's only UK link was its disputed insurance cover". Lloyd's List. 5 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  6. ↑ "Bulk carrier reported abandoned at Bab-al-Mandab after Houthi missile attack". Insurance Marine News. 20 February 2024. Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  7. ↑ "Four ships to transport food from Ukraine to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Greece, Spain, Netherlands". Interfax . Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  8. 1 2 Cecil, Nicholas (20 February 2024). "Crew evacuated from UK ship 'taking in water' 36 hours after Houthi attack in Red Sea". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  9. ↑ Moniglio, Heather (20 February 2024). "British-Owned Cargo Ship Damaged by Houthi Missiles, Crew Evacuated". USNI News. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  10. ↑ Westfall, Sammy (20 February 2024). "Cargo ship crew forced to evacuate after Houthi missile attack off Yemen". Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286. Archived from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  11. 1 2 Parker, Adam (27 February 2024). "Ship sinking in Red Sea after Houthi attack drifts north – as US Navy offer help". Sky News. Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  12. ↑ "Houthi sunk ship Rubymar's anchor likely severed Red Sea internet cables". Alarabiya News. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  13. ↑ Gupta, Gaya; Kim, Victoria (23 February 2024). "U.S. Warns of Environmental Damage if Vessel Struck by Houthis Sinks". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  14. 1 2 Tollast, Robert (28 February 2024). "Houthi attacks jeopardise recovery of stricken Red Sea cargo ship". The National. Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  15. ↑ Dixon, Gary (27 February 2024). "Houthis link Rubymar salvage to Gaza aid as stricken vessel leaks fuel". TradeWinds. Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  16. ↑ Iordache, Ruxandra (28 February 2024). "Abandoned at sea, Houthi-damaged ship awaits towing to Saudi Arabia amid oil slick concerns". CNBC. Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  17. ↑ "Rubymar cargo ship attacked by Houthis has sunk, Yemeni government says". Reuters. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  18. ↑ "Jemen meldt dat beschoten vrachtschip Rubymar is gezonken" [Yemen reports shelled cargo ship Rubymar has sunk]. Nederlands Dagblad (in Dutch). 2 March 2024. Archived from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  19. ↑ "Rubymar cargo ship earlier hit by Houthis has sunk, Yemeni government says". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  20. ↑ "Cargo ship Rubymar sinks in Red Sea after attack by Houthis". The National. 2 March 2024. Archived from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  21. ↑ "Sinking of Rubymar in Red Sea poses grave environmental risks, experts warn". The Guardian. 5 March 2024. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  22. ↑ "CENTCOM shoots down Houthi missile, drone attack on USS Carney". I24news. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  23. ↑ Dickie, Gloria; Baertlein, Lisa (18 March 2024). "Houthi attacks must ease for salvage of two vessels, UN shipping agency says". Reuters. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.