A bulk cargo ship flying the Liberian flag sank in the Red Sea after being attacked by Houthi forces earlier this week, leaving four crew members dead, several missing, and others believed to have been taken hostage. The incident has drawn global attention to the escalating threat to commercial shipping in the region and the human toll on seafarers from developing countries.
The Eternity C, a Greek-owned but Liberia-flagged bulk carrier, was sailing near the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah when it was struck by a barrage of attacks, including sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades. The assault occurred on Sunday, July 7, and resulted in severe structural damage to the vessel.
The ship sank after a 48-hour struggle to remain afloat. International maritime authorities have confirmed that the crew onboard included sailors from the Philippines, Vietnam, India, and other nations, with Liberia serving as the ship’s flag of convenience.
At least four crew members have been confirmed dead. Ten others were rescued by nearby vessels and international naval forces operating in the Red Sea. Six sailors are unaccounted for, five presumed lost at sea, while one is believed to be among those taken hostage by Houthi forces, who reportedly boarded the vessel before its final descent.
International maritime security teams, including those from the EU-led Operation Aspides, continue search-and-rescue efforts along the busy but increasingly dangerous corridor.
Liberia is one of the world’s largest flag states, offering registration to thousands of commercial ships. Critics argue that the flag of convenience system, used to minimize regulatory and tax burdens, often leaves little accountability or protection for the crew in cases of crisis.
The Eternity C incident underscores this vulnerability. While the ship bore Liberia’s name, none of its crew were Liberian nationals, and the country has yet to issue a formal response or offer any involvement in post-incident investigations.
The attack on the Eternity C is part of a wider campaign by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have targeted international shipping in the Red Sea in what they claim is solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
This latest strike came just days before the Houthis launched a ballistic missile toward Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, intercepted by Israeli defenses, indicating a dangerous expansion of the group’s military operations.
Meanwhile, war-risk insurance premiums for Red Sea voyages have skyrocketed, and several global shipping firms have begun rerouting traffic around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the threat-laden waters of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
The United States and European Union have condemned the attack, with Washington calling for the immediate release of hostages. Human rights groups and seafarer unions are demanding better protection for crew members and questioning the ethics of flag-of-convenience practices in high-risk regions.
As investigations and rescue missions continue, the incident has renewed calls for global maritime reform, both in terms of shipping security and the responsibilities of nations like Liberia that lend their flags to vessels navigating conflict zones.
