{{Short description|Bulk carrier}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox ship | display_title = | infobox_caption = MV ''True Confidence'' |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = Houthi attack on MV True Confidence.webp | image_caption = Houthi anti-ship missile striking the ship }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | laid_down = | fate = Struck by a Houthi anti-ship missile on 6 March 2024 | out_of_service = | in_service = | maiden_voyage = | acquired = | christened = | completed = 2011 | launched = 17 June 2011<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.classnk.or.jp/register/regships/one_dsp.aspx?imo=9460784 | title=ClassNK Register of Ships - M/S TRUE CONFIDENCE(CNo.113419) }}</ref> | way_number = | name = *''Teizan'' (2011–2021) *''True Confidence'' (from 2021) | namesake = | yard_number = 10610 | original_cost = | builder = Oshima Shipbuilding, Sakai | ordered = | route = | registry = *{{Flag|Panama}} (2011–2021) *{{Flag|Barbados}} (from 2021)<ref name=Equasis>{{csr|register=E|id=9460784|shipname=True Confidence|accessdate=2024-05-23}}</ref> | operator = *Usui Kaiun KK (2011–2021) *Third January Maritime Ltd (from 2021)<ref name=Equasis/><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=6 March 2024 |title=Three killed in Houthi missile attack on cargo ship - US military |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68490695 |work=BBC |access-date=2024-03-06 |language=en-GB}}</ref> | owner = *Olamar Navegacion SA (2011–2021) *OCM Maritime Loire LLC (2021–2024) *True Confidence Shipping SA (from 2024)<ref name=Equasis/><ref name=":0" /> | renamed = | identification = *{{IMO Number|9460784}} *{{MMSI Number|314579000}} *Callsign: 8PBF4 | notes = }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | crew = 20 | capacity = | speed = | propulsion = | power = | ice_class = | deck_clearance = | depth = | header_caption = | draught = | height = | beam = {{cvt|32|m|ftin}} | length = {{cvt|183|m|ftin}} | displacement = | tonnage = {{GT|29104}} | class = Bulk carrier | notes = }} }} '''MV ''True Confidence''''' is a Barbados-flagged bulk carrier managed by Third January Maritime, a Greek company, and owned by True Confidence Shipping, a Liberian shipping company.<ref>{{Cite web |title=True Confidence, Bulk Carrier - Details and current position - IMO 9460784 |url=https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/details/9460784 |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=Vessel Finder}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=True Confidence |url=https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:418641/mmsi:314579000/imo:9460784/vessel:TRUE_CONFIDENCE |access-date=6 March 2024 |website=MaritimeTraffic}}</ref> The vessel was attacked on 6 March 2024, causing the first civilian casualties of Houthi attacks on merchant shipping during the Red Sea crisis.
== Attack == During the Red Sea crisis, on 6 March 2024, at around 12:30 p.m. AST, ''True Confidence'' was struck by a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile {{Convert|54|nmi}} southwest of Aden, Yemen, after individuals claiming to be the Yemeni Navy hailed the vessel over radio for approximately 30 minutes and ordered her to alter her course. Three members of the ship's crew were killed, the first to die in the Houthi attacks.<ref name=BBC07032024>{{cite news |title=Three killed in Houthi missile attack on cargo ship in Gulf of Aden |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-68490695 |access-date=23 May 2024 |work=BBC News |date=7 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515130651/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-68490695 |archive-date=15 May 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Iordache |first=Ruxandra |date=2024-03-07 |title=Three dead in first fatal Houthi attack in the Red Sea |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/07/three-dead-in-first-fatal-houthi-attack-in-the-red-sea.html |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=CNBC }}</ref>
United States Central Command imagery shows significant damage to the aft port quarter of the crew spaces below the level of the deck cargo.<ref name="BBC07032024" /> This indicates that the ship had indeed turned around and was on a south east course when the missiles struck at around 02:00UTC{{dubious|date=May 2024}}, two hours after the initial VHF radio contact was reported to the Indian Navy destroyer {{INS|Kolkata}}.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-03-08 |title=Indian Navy comes to the rescue of missile-hit ship in Gulf of Aden |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indian-navy-comes-to-rescue-of-missile-hit-ship-in-gulf-of-aden/articleshow/108287063.cms |access-date=2025-06-30 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The attack caused significant damage to the ship, and her crew members abandoned the vessel shortly after. A fire also broke out in the pilothouse.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=3 Killed, 4 Hurt in Houthi Strike on Commercial Ship |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/at-least-2-killed-in-houthi-strike-on-commercial-ship/7516779.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307115129/https://www.voanews.com/amp/at-least-2-killed-in-houthi-strike-on-commercial-ship/7516779.html |archive-date=7 March 2024 |access-date=7 March 2024 |website=Voice of America}}</ref> Houthis stated that the attack came after the vessel rejected warning messages issued by them.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wintour |first=Patrick |date=6 March 2024 |title=Three sailors dead after Houthis strike ship in Gulf of Aden, US says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/06/houthis-strike-ship-in-gulf-of-aden-yemen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306192213/https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/06/houthis-strike-ship-in-gulf-of-aden-yemen |archive-date=6 March 2024 |access-date=6 March 2024 |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bertrand |first=Natasha |date=6 March 2024 |title=Crew members killed for first time in Houthi attack on commercial ship in Red Sea, US official says |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/06/politics/crew-members-killed-houthi-attack/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306222336/https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/03/06/politics/crew-members-killed-houthi-attack/index.html |archive-date=6 March 2024 |access-date=6 March 2024 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> The attack resulted in the first civilian casualties aboard merchant vessels in the Red Sea crisis, killing three crewmembers and injuring four others, including three of which who were in critical condition, according to United States Central Command.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last1=Bigg |first1=Matthew Mpoke |last2=Gupta |first2=Gaya |date=6 March 2024 |title='At least 2 innocent sailors have died,' the British Embassy in Yemen says. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/03/06/world/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news |access-date=6 March 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Houthi strike kills 3 on international cargo carrier as group continues shipping lane attacks: US |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/houthi-strike-kills-3-international-cargo-carrier-group/story?id=107854045 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307113333/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/houthi-strike-kills-3-international-cargo-carrier-group/story?id=107854045 |archive-date=7 March 2024 |access-date=6 March 2024 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> The vessel had a crew of 20 at the time of the attack, and an additional three armed guards. The crew included 15 Filipinos, four Vietnamese and one Indian, of which two Filipinos and one Vietnamese died; also on board were two Sri Lankan and one Nepali armed guards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 March 2024 |title=Analysis: First fatal attack on shipping by Yemen's Houthi rebels escalates risk for reeling Mideast |url=https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebels-shipping-attacks-israel-hamas-a60e865cab24689ee6f69b65f438e4f8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307113812/https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebels-shipping-attacks-israel-hamas-a60e865cab24689ee6f69b65f438e4f8 |archive-date=7 March 2024 |access-date=7 March 2024 |website=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref>
The extent of the damage to the ship is unclear. The vessel's crew deployed lifeboats before abandoning her, and were eventually evacuated to Djibouti.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 February 2024 |title=2 Filipino, 1 Vietnamese sailor killed in first fatal Houthi attack on merchant ship |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/2-filipino-1-vietnamese-sailor-killed-in-first-fatal-houthi-attack-on-merchant-ship/ |access-date=7 February 2024 |work=The Times of Israel}}</ref> Both the United States Navy warship {{USS|Philippine Sea|CG-58|6}} and INS ''Kolkata'' were deployed to assist in rescue efforts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=White House calls on world leaders to help stop 'reckless' Houthi attacks after civilian sailors killed |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/white-house-calls-world-leaders-help-stop-reckless-houthi-attacks-civilian-sailors-killed.amp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307114215/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/white-house-calls-world-leaders-help-stop-reckless-houthi-attacks-civilian-sailors-killed.amp |archive-date=7 March 2024 |access-date=7 March 2024 |website=FOX News}}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch: Indian Navy Warship Rescues 21 From Ship Hit By Houthi Missile |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/watch-indian-navy-warship-ins-kolkata-rescues-21-from-ship-hit-by-houthi-missile-5192833 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307110409/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/watch-indian-navy-warship-ins-kolkata-rescues-21-from-ship-hit-by-houthi-missile-5192833 |archive-date=7 March 2024 |access-date=7 March 2024 |website=NDTV}}</ref>
At the time of the attack, the vessel was carrying a cargo of steel products and trucks from Lianyungang, China to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Aqaba, Jordan.<ref name="BBC07032024"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Robert |date=7 March 2024 |title=Three killed in Houthi attack on cargo ship off Yemeni coast |url=https://www.ft.com/content/7968438c-ec7c-424d-aaed-42d99e2a51a7 |access-date=7 March 2024 |website=Financial Times}}</ref>
The Houthis claimed that the vessel was American-owned, however a spokesman for the ship's owners rejected the claim, saying it had no relation with American entities.<ref name="BBC07032024" /> The vessel's owners, the company True Confidence Shipping, is registered in Liberia, and she is operated by the Greece-based organization Third January Maritime. Both firms confirmed that they were unrelated to the United States. However, until 24 February 2024 the vessel was connected to the Los Angeles-based Oaktree Capital Management.<ref name="BBC07032024" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Houthi attack kills three sailors in group's first fatal strike on shipping |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/6/suspected-houthi-attack-ship-gulf-of-aden-yemen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307073520/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/6/suspected-houthi-attack-ship-gulf-of-aden-yemen |archive-date=7 March 2024 |access-date=6 March 2024 |website=Al Jazeera Media Network |language=en}}</ref>
== Reactions == * {{Flag|European Union}}: The EU condemned the attack. It reiterated that Houthi attacks violated international law, freedom of navigation, global trade, and put sailors' lives at risk and must cease immediately. The EU also stated that its member states were willing to protect vessels through Operation Aspides.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yemen: Statement by the Spokesperson on Houthis deadly attack against a vessel in the Gulf of Aden |url=https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/yemen-statement-spokesperson-houthis-deadly-attack-against-vessel-gulf-aden_en |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=EEAS |language=en}}</ref> * {{Flag|France}}: France offered condolences to the victims and their loved ones. It also called for the Houthis to cease attacks on international shipping, saying that they had reached a new level.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 March 2024 |title=Red Sea - Lethal attack by the Houthis on the commercial vessel True Confidence |url=https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/yemen/events/article/red-sea-lethal-attack-by-the-houthis-on-the-commercial-vessel-true-confidence-6 |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=France Diplomacy - Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs |language=en}}</ref> * {{Flag|Israel}}: The Israeli Embassy in Manila offered condolences to the Philippines over the death of two Filipinos in the attack. It also stated that it stood in solidarity with the Philippine government and that it condemned all acts of terrorism.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 March 2024 |title=Israel condemns Houthi strike; condoles with PH over fatalities |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1220625 |access-date=21 March 2024 |work=Philippine News Agency}}</ref> * {{Flag|Japan}}: The Japanese Foreign Ministry offered condolences to the victims, and stated that Japan unequivocally condemned the attack on the MV ''True Confidence'', and the other persistent attacks by Houthis against shipping in the waters around the Arabian Peninsula. It added that Japan would continue to fulfill its duty to secure freedom of navigation and take necessary measures while cooperating with relevant countries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Japan condemns the Houthi's attack on "True Confidence" vessel |url=https://www.arabnews.jp/en/japan/article_117201/ |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=Arab News Japan |language=en}}</ref> * {{Flag|Philippines}}: The Philippine government said it was deeply distressed and concerned after learning that the attack on the MV ''True Confidence'' killed two of its citizens.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 March 2024 |title=PH 'greatly distressed' by Houthi strike on ship that killed 2 Pinoys |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1220341 |access-date=21 March 2024 |work=Philippine News Agency}}</ref> * {{Flag|United Nations}}: The UN condemned Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, including the attack against the MV ''True Confidence'', which it described as tragic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Security Council Press Statement on Situation in Red Sea and Baab al-Mandab |url=https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15631.doc.htm |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=press.un.org}}</ref> * {{Flag|Vietnam}}: Vietnam called the attack violent and inhumane, and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Phạm Thu Hằng urged for the parties involved in the conflict to cease the use of force and ensure security, safety, and freedom for international shipping.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vietnam condemns Houthis' deadly attack |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240308_38/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308122422/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240308_38/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 March 2024 |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=NHK WORLD |language=en}}</ref> * {{Flag|Yemen}}: The Presidium of the Southern Transitional Council condemned and denounced the attack, describing it as terrorist and saying that the situation in the Red Sea had reached a dangerous stage of escalation and required an international response.<ref>{{Cite web |title=STC Presidium Condemns Houthi Terrorist Attack on the Ship "True Confidence" and Underscores Firm International Action to Protect Maritime Navigation |url=https://en.stcaden.com/posts/11610 |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=Southern Transitional Council |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{2024 shipwrecks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:True Confidence}} Category:2011 ships Category:Ships built by Oshima Shipbuilding Category:Merchant ships of Barbados Category:Maritime incidents in 2024 Category:March 2024 in Asia Category:Bulk carriers Category:Cargo ships of Liberia Category:Cargo ships of Greece Category:Red Sea crisis Category:Houthi attacks Category:Bombardments of the Yemeni civil war (2014–present)