Maersk Hangzhou is an operated by Maersk Line. It is Singapore-flagged and is owned by Moller Singapore Asia-Pacific, a subsidiary of the Maersk company.[1] The ship was attacked by Houthi fighters during the Red Sea Crisis on 30 December 2023.
See main article: Attacks on the MV Maersk Hangzhou. On 30 December 2023, Maersk Hangzhou was hit by a land-based missile, though suffering only limited damage and no casualties.[2] The following day, the ship issued a distress call after coming under attack from what U.S. CENTCOM described as four Iran-backed Houthi small boats.[3]
Several shots were fired and attempts to board were made and a contracted security team returned fire. The United States Navy's aircraft carrier and destroyer responded to the distress call. Verbal commands were issued to the four boats, and helicopters from the Dwight D. Eisenhower were dispatched. After taking small arms fire, United States Navy helicopters returned fire, sinking the boats and killing their crews (the fourth boat withdrew).[4] There was no damage to U.S. equipment or personnel.[3]
Maersk decided to temporarily pause transits through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden following the attack.[5]
According to Ports Europe, Maersk Hangzhou arrived in the Port of Trieste with no visible damage the week of 16 January 2024.[6]