The Saudi tanker Encelia caught fire in the Red Sea on July 22 after a missile hit its starboard side, roughly 70 nautical miles southwest of Al Shuqaiq. All crew were safe. Saudi Arabia's state news agency confirmed the fire started on the bow.
Yemen's Houthi movement claimed the attack. The group said it targeted Encelia and a second Saudi tanker, Layla, using ballistic and cruise missiles and drones. The Houthis said both tankers had violated a naval blockade declared against Saudi Arabia on July 20. The claim about Layla was not independently confirmed as of July 23, Reuters reported.
The July 20 blockade declaration warned shipping companies against loading cargo at Saudi ports. Any tanker deemed a violator would be targeted, the Houthis said. Multiple tankers turned back in the Red Sea in the days that followed, Washington Post and Bloomberg reported.
Houthi Missiles Strike Two Saudi Tankers in Red Sea; One on Fire
Interest over time · Red Sea - Encelia & LaylaWho's watching
- YE39%
- SA27%
- GB9%
- US9%
- EG9%
- AE6%
Track these vessels
Track this vessel live on MarineRadar
Follow the ships and waters behind the headline in real time — satellite positions every 5 minutes, full voyage history and arrival alerts, straight from your phone.
Never miss a story that moves the seas
The incidents, chokepoint shifts and vessel movements that matter — in your inbox the moment they break.