Container ship CUL Klang, operated by China United Lines (CULines), was attacked by an armed small craft in the southern Red Sea.
The incident occurred on October 7 at around 06:15 UTC, while the container ship was sailing north of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
According to the Maritime Security Centre – Indian Ocean (MSCIO), an armed small craft approached the vessel and opened fire.
After some time, the attacking craft broke off the assault and moved away. The reason why the attack was abandoned remains unclear.
No crew members aboard CUL Klang were injured in the incident.
No group had claimed responsibility for the attack at the time of reporting, and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
Maritime security experts identified the targeted vessel as CUL Klang, operated by Chinese shipping company CULines.
The container ship was built in 2024, sails under the Singapore flag and has a capacity of 2,433 TEU. It is 188.9 metres long and 32 metres wide.
The vessel had departed from Port Klang, Malaysia. Its AIS currently displays the message “China owned & CHN crew”, indicating Chinese ownership and a Chinese crew.
The attack took place in one of the world’s most sensitive shipping areas, near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
