Egypt has officially denied any connection to the cargo ship TIHAMA, which was attacked on Tuesday in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait near Yemen. Initial reports suggested the vessel was Egyptian-owned and operated by a company based in Alexandria, but Egyptian authorities have rejected these claims.
The Egyptian Ministry of Transport stated that TIHAMA is a Tanzanian-flagged ship owned by a Yemeni national. The managing company, Blue Sea for Management Marine, operates through its Dubai branch and is not registered with Egyptian maritime authorities. According to the ministry, TIHAMA has never docked at Egyptian ports, was not en route to Egypt at the time of the attack, and does not carry goods linked to Egypt.
The attack reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least four crew members and two rescue personnel, with suspicion falling on Houthi forces. This incident follows a drone strike on July 29 at Egypt's Damietta Port, which damaged two gas vessels but caused no casualties.
Highlighting ongoing regional maritime security challenges, the Ministry of Transport reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Egypt's territorial waters and maritime interests across the Mediterranean and Red Sea.
Key Points:
- TIHAMA is Tanzanian-flagged and Yemeni-owned.
- The managing company operates from Dubai, not Egypt.
- Ship has no history of entering Egyptian ports or transporting Egyptian goods.
- Egypt remains vigilant amid increasing maritime threats in the region.
