MV True Confidence

MV True Confidence

History
Name	True Confidence Teizan (2011)
Owner	True Confidence Shipping S.A.[1]
Operator	Third January Maritime Ltd[1]
Port of registry	Barbados
Builder	Oshima Shipbuilding
Completed	2011
Identification	IMO number: 9460784 MMSI number: 314579000 Callsign: 8PBF4
Fate	Struck by a Houthi anti-ship missile on 6 March 2024
General characteristics
Class and type	Bulk carrier
Tonnage	29,104 GT
Length	183 m (600 ft 5 in)
Beam	32 m (105 ft 0 in)
Crew	20

MV True Confidence is a Barbados-flagged bulk carrier operated by Third January Maritime a Greek company and owned by True Confidence Shipping a Liberian shipping company.^[2][3] The vessel was attacked on 6 March 2024, causing the first civilian casualties of Houthi attacks on merchant shipping during the Red Sea crisis. At least three crew members of a cargo ship transiting the Red Sea were killed by a missile attack launched by Houthi rebels.^[4]

Attack

During the

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.^[12] Both the United States Navy warship USS Philippine Sea and INS Kolkata were deployed to assist in rescue efforts.^[13][6][14]

The vessel was holding a cargo of steel products and trucks at the time of the attack, and had been attempting to deliver them from Lianyungang, China to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Aqaba, Jordan.^[15][16]

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.^[15] 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, the vessel was previously owned by the Los Angeles-based Oaktree Capital Management.^[17]

Reactions

•  
  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.^[18]
•  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.^[19]
•  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.^[20]
•  
  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.^[21]
•  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.^[22]
•  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.^[23]
•  Vietnam: Vietnam called the attack violent and inhumane, and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang urged for the parties involved in the conflict to cease the use of force and ensure security, safety, and freedom for international shipping.^[24]
•  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.^[25]

References