A recent attack on a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker, with 27 crew members including 24 Pakistanis, highlights the growing risks faced by the shipping industry in conflict zones. The tanker, which was docked at Yemen’s Ras Issa port, was targeted by an Israeli drone on September 17 amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Houthi rebels in the region. The incident raised immediate concerns over the safety of the vessel, its crew, and the broader impact on global LPG supply chains.
The Foreign Office confirmed that all 24 Pakistani nationals aboard the vessel are safe and are now making their way out of Yemeni waters. The attack resulted in an LPG tank explosion, but the crew successfully extinguished the fire. Despite the explosion, the vessel was held hostage by Houthi boats, although the crew was later released, and the tanker is now out of Yemeni waters.
While the attack is not the first instance of regional violence affecting shipping, it underscores the increasing vulnerability of vessels operating in high-risk areas. Israel has targeted Houthi positions during the ongoing Gaza conflict, with the rebels retaliating by launching missiles and drones at Israeli and Red Sea shipping lanes, further escalating the risks for commercial shipping in the area.
The diplomatic response, coordinated between Pakistani and international authorities, ensured the safe release of the crew, but it underscores the need for enhanced security measures and contingency planning in the global shipping industry.
As global trade increasingly operates under volatile conditions, the risk of disruptions to supply chains in regions like the Middle East and Red Sea underscores the need for businesses to closely monitor geopolitical risks and reinforce their crisis management strategies.
