LNG Tanker Catches Fire After Explosion Off Yemen Coast
24 crew rescued, two missing as Cameroon-flagged MV Falcon burns in Gulf of Aden
A Cameroon-flagged liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker caught fire on Saturday following an explosion in the Gulf of Aden, about 60 nautical miles (110 kilometres) south of Yemen’s Ahwar, prompting an international rescue effort and renewed concerns over maritime safety in the volatile region.
According to maritime security firm Ambrey and the European Union’s naval task force, the explosion occurred aboard the vessel MV Falcon as it was sailing from Sohar, Oman, to Djibouti. The tanker issued a distress call shortly after the blast, reporting heavy fire onboard.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which monitors shipping security in the region, confirmed that the ship had been “hit by an unknown projectile, resulting in a fire.” It added that authorities were investigating the nature and source of the strike.
Early reports suggested that approximately 15 percent of the ship’s structure was engulfed in flames, as indicated by the EU’s naval force Aspides. The crew immediately activated emergency procedures, sending out mayday signals that were picked up by nearby vessels and rescue teams.
Rescue operations were swiftly launched, and 24 of the MV Falcon’s 26 crew members were safely rescued. Two crew members remained unaccounted for as of late Saturday evening, and search efforts were continuing in coordination with international naval forces patrolling the Gulf of Aden.
The MV Falcon is registered under Cameroon’s flag and is not known to be connected with any of the shipping companies or routes that Yemen’s Houthi rebels have targeted in recent months. Ambrey noted that the tanker does not fit the profile of vessels typically attacked by the Houthis, who have focused their campaign on ships perceived to be linked to Israel or Western allies since late 2023.
A spokesperson for the Houthi-controlled Ministry of Defence in Sanaa, quoted by the group’s Saba news agency, said the movement had “no connection” to Saturday’s incident. The statement comes amid heightened tensions in regional waterways, where attacks and drone strikes on commercial vessels have become increasingly common.
The Gulf of Aden and the adjacent Red Sea corridor are among the world’s busiest and most strategically important maritime routes, carrying a significant portion of global trade, including energy shipments. Since the outbreak of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, the Houthis have repeatedly targeted ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb strait and the southern Red Sea, claiming the attacks are acts of solidarity with Palestinians.
These incidents have forced shipping companies to reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, significantly increasing voyage times and costs. The United States and its allies have since deployed naval forces to protect international shipping lanes under missions such as Operation Prosperity Guardian, while the EU’s Aspides task force continues to assist with escort and rescue operations.
Saturday’s explosion, however, appears to represent a different kind of threat. The EU naval command stated that “the cause of the explosion remains unclear,” adding that “there is no immediate indication of missile or drone activity associated with known hostile groups in the area.” Investigators are exploring multiple possibilities, including an onboard technical failure, accidental ignition of gas vapours, or an isolated attack.
Images circulating on maritime monitoring channels showed thick black smoke rising from the vessel as rescue ships attempted to control the blaze. The MV Falcon’s crew, believed to be composed primarily of Asian nationals, were transported to safety aboard nearby vessels while firefighting efforts continued.
No reports have yet emerged of oil or gas leakage from the ship, though authorities are monitoring for potential environmental hazards given the vessel’s LNG cargo. An uncontrolled gas leak or further explosions could pose severe risks to both rescuers and marine ecosystems.
Shipping industry experts say the incident underscores the growing dangers for vessels transiting near Yemen’s coast. “Even if this was an accident, the fact that it happened in one of the world’s most unstable maritime zones magnifies the risk and complicates rescue operations,” said a regional maritime analyst. “Every unexplained incident now raises alarm about potential escalation.”
By late Saturday night, international naval forces remained on-site, working to extinguish the fire and locate the missing crew. The vessel’s operators have not yet issued an official statement.
The latest incident adds to a string of maritime emergencies in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea region, where overlapping geopolitical conflicts, piracy concerns, and the ongoing Houthi campaign have left shipping companies on high alert.
For now, the MV Falcon burns as another symbol of the uncertainty that haunts one of the world’s most vital shipping arteries — a reminder that in these waters, even a single spark can ignite a crisis with global repercussions.
Author: shipping inbox
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