Maritime Gauntlet: MV Delta Blue Survives Quadruple Attack in Bab el-Mandeb

Maritime security agencies are on high alert following a series of sophisticated attacks on the Liberian-flagged oil tanker MV Delta Blue between August 8 and August 9, 2024. The vessel, managed by Athens-based Delta Tankers, was transiting 45 nautical miles south of the Yemeni port of Al Mukha (Mokha) when it encountered a multi-layered assault. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the first attack involved two small craft that fired a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) which exploded in close proximity to the hull. Hours later, the tanker reported a second missile explosion nearby. The third and most dangerous engagement involved an unmanned surface vessel (USV) approaching at high speed. In this instance, the vessel's embarked private armed security team (PAST) successfully neutralized the USV using small-arms fire, preventing a collision. A fourth attack involving a drone was also reported, though it failed to cause physical damage. No injuries were reported among the crew, and the ship is currently proceeding to its next port of call. Security analysts observe that the frequency and variety of weapons used in the Delta Blue incident—RPGs, missiles, USVs, and drones—indicate a high level of operational persistence by Houthi forces. This escalation is part of a broader campaign that has targeted over 70 vessels since November 2023. The incident has forced more shipping companies to reconsider transit through the Suez Canal, favoring the longer and more expensive route around the Cape of Good Hope. War risk insurance premiums for the Red Sea corridor remain at elevated levels, reflecting the persistent threat of 'not under command' scenarios. The U.S.-led Operation Prosperity Guardian and the EU's Operation Aspides continue to patrol the area, but the Delta Blue case demonstrates that even vessels with private security remain vulnerable to saturation attacks. Shipping industry leaders are calling for enhanced naval protection as the region enters a period of heightened geopolitical tension following threats from regional actors to disrupt maritime choke points in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb.