What Crew Members Say About Lycavitos

On February 15, 2024, the bulk carrier 'Lycavitos' was targeted by naval missiles launched by Yemen's Houthi forces while navigating the Gulf of Aden, approximately 100 nautical miles east of Aden. The vessel, which was en route from Mizuushima to Suez, is operated by Helikon Shipping Enterprises, a company with regional offices in London, Athens, and Dalian, China. Although the ship sustained minor damage from shrapnel that resulted in a diesel leak, fortunately, all crew members aboard remained unharmed. This incident underscores the ongoing maritime threats in the region.

In a significant development, a vessel carrying over 47,000 tonnes of wheat has been blocked from entering Al-Saleef port in Yemen by the Saudi-led coalition. The coalition has requested guarantees from the United Nations that the essential cargo will not be diverted to military forces. The ship, Lycavitos, transporting 47,250 tonnes of wheat, was halted on Wednesday night, citing that all Yemeni ports are currently off-limits to maritime traffic. Ocean Marine Services, the Yemeni-based agent for the ship, addressed a formal letter to the Yemeni Red Sea Ports Authority to urge swift action on the matter. The letter emphasized the crucial nature of the wheat shipment, describing it as a nutritional and strategic commodity vital for the sustenance of the Yemeni population. As of now, officials from the Saudi-led coalition have not yet provided comments regarding the situation. Meanwhile, UK-based Helikon Shipping Enterprises Ltd, which serves as the owners' agent for the Lycavitos, confirmed that the vessel was loaded with wheat sourced from the U.S. West Coast, designated for delivery at Saleef and Hodeida ports. The ongoing blockade raises concerns about food security in the war-torn region, which has already been grappling with severe humanitarian crises.