Houthi Attack Claims Life of Crew Member on Dutch Cargo Ship

A crew member of the Dutch cargo ship MV Minervagracht has died from injuries sustained during a Houthi attack in the Gulf of Aden last week, according to a statement from the Netherlands-based shipping company Spliethoff. The incident occurred approximately 128 nautical miles southeast of Yemen’s port city of Aden on September 29, 2025.

In an official release, Spliethoff expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating, “It is with great sadness that Spliethoff shares the news of the passing of one of our valued crew members. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones.” Most of the ship’s 19-person crew has been safely repatriated, with one member remaining under medical care in Djibouti, where his condition is reported as stable.

The MV Minervagracht was left adrift and on fire following the attack, posing a navigational hazard. This incident marks the second time the vessel has been targeted within a week, following a prior attack on September 23, while en route to Djibouti. On that occasion, a nearby vessel reported hearing “a splash and the sound of an explosion” about 120 nautical miles east of Aden.

Yemen’s Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for these assaults. Martin Kelly, Head of Advisory at EOS Risk Group, noted that this attack represents “the third successful Houthi engagement in 2025 out of five attempts” and was “the first successful engagement in the Gulf of Aden since July 2024.”

The EU Naval Force Operation ASPIDES, which conducted the rescue operation, highlighted the threats posed by such attacks. They stated, “These kinds of attacks pose not only a threat against the freedom of navigation but also to the lives of seafarers, and subsequently to the life of all citizens living in that region.”

Since 2023, the Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, have increasingly targeted vessels in the Red Sea region, claiming these actions are in solidarity with Palestinians against what they perceive as Israeli aggression. This recent death marks a grim milestone, as it is the first fatality linked to Houthi attacks on maritime operations since the loss of at least four crew members in early July due to a drone and missile strike on another vessel, the Eternity C. An additional five sailors are presumed dead from that incident.

As the toll from Houthi aggression against maritime workers now rises to fourteen, the Netherlands has called on the European Union to designate Yemen’s Houthis as a terrorist organization. This development underscores the escalating risks faced by international shipping in volatile waters, drawing attention to the urgent need for enhanced maritime security measures in the region.