Suez Watch

[Default0ptions]

“Houthi Militants Attack US Container Ship With Ballistic Missiles Days After Biden Attack on Yemen.”

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/houth ... tack-yemen

The Houthis are clearly undeterred by the US/UK strikes.

[BritDownUnder]

Sorry to drag off message, this is for BDU

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... -austerity

Yes, it is the favourite lefty whipping boy. It also explains how the UK has changed since you left.

I don't mind at all going off topic. The truth is it isn't off topic as everything is connected. The UK has indeed become a poorer, sicker place since I left. Maybe because the population is getting older and hence sicker.
Or is all the sickness due to to increasing poverty though or is it due to smoking, overeating, lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyle, computer games etc.

Coming back on topic if the UK is going to fling missiles at the Houthis and their drones at least they should be made in the UK and not contributing to the precarious balance of trade If not then it doesn't make sense and I go back to my original post mentioning welfare that set it all off. Don't forget that war is about damaging your enemy's economy just as much as killing their soldiers and these Houthis and their Iranian backers know this.

“Fresh Attack On US Base At Syrian Oilfield After Coalition Bombs Yemen”

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/ ... en-reports

I’m still not sure why the US is helping itself to Syrian oil in the first place - but this attack looks like a bit of a response to the strikes on the Houthis in Yemen.

I suspect we’re going to see a lot more of this; low level asymmetric strikes against the US /UK /NATO assets in the region.

(I’m clumping this into the Suez Watch thread because it seems to me to be a part of the situation there)

No idea why Conoco is in Syria but ISIS did have quite a few 'backyard' oil refineries when they were in Syria so they could sell a bit of oil to pay their bills.

Seems like the ballistic missile attack on the Gibraltar Eagle was a good shot. Different news sources say it is variously a container ship or a dry-bulk ship. To me it looks like it has four large holds plus cranes with no containers in sight on its photo. Not only was it to the South of Yemen, well away from Houthi controlled coastline 95nm from Aden (which is controlled by 'nice and friendly' Yemenis) but there is a good chance the ship was moving at the time so there needed to be some kind of smart guidance within the missile guidance system to hit a moving target. I doubt the damage would be significant though. Probably a few written off containers or dry bulk cargo. The missile would probably target the middle of the ship well away from the bridge and engine room.

Apparently there is an Iranian naval ship that is sitting at the entrance to the Bab al Mandab coordinating things.

[Ralphw2]

Iran has hit Pakistan with a ballistic missile, reportedly killing children. Iran says it hit a militant base. Iran seems determined to pick a fight at the moment, I'm not sure what is in it for them.

[BritDownUnder]

It's certainly heating up over there. The Iran attack on Pakistan is on Baloch people who are presumably fighting for self-determination in both countries. It's the old "one mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter" thing. Apparently this terror group is American backed so they are "friendly"?

[adam2]

UK and USA forces launch fresh attacks on houthi positions.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-68064422

[Default0ptions]

“Houthis Launch Fresh Attack On US Maersk Vessel, Ignoring Navy Escort”

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/ ... sea-crisis

[Default0ptions]

The whole idea that the US can somehow guarantee ‘freedom of navigation’ is falling apart now - and what little they can do comes at a huge cost.

“British Oil Tanker Carrying Russian Naphta On Fire In The Red Sea After Houthi Missile Strike”

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/briti ... ile-strike

[BritDownUnder]

The whole idea that the US can somehow guarantee ‘freedom of navigation’ is falling apart now - and what little they can do comes at a huge cost.

“British Oil Tanker Carrying Russian Naphta On Fire In The Red Sea After Houthi Missile Strike”

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/briti ... ile-strike

I'd be inclined to let that one burn - the oil/naphtha is probably worth more than the boat. It would be interesting who has insured it. Trafigura is a company owned by Jews based in Switzerland/Singapore that was originally associated with Marc Rich who was pardoned by Bill Clinton on the latter's last day as President for sanctions busting with Iran. Go figure.

I was watching an interesting documentary on YouTube (no idea if it was true) on how old 1950s and 1960s era Soviet anti aircraft missiles are being repurposed as anti-ship ballistic missiles so there is some ingenuity from the Iranians.

Would be nice to see some progress in laser and railgun technology especially from companies that I own shares in. I hear that that there has been some progress in making shells as small as 57mm/2.25in being steerable and able to home in on a target and cost about $20,000.

I believe the correct spelling is naphtha and it burns very well. Four years of studying Chemistry was not a total waste.

[adam2]

The whole idea that the US can somehow guarantee ‘freedom of navigation’ is falling apart now - and what little they can do comes at a huge cost.

“British Oil Tanker Carrying Russian Naphta On Fire In The Red Sea After Houthi Missile Strike”

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/briti ... ile-strike

I believe the correct spelling is naphtha and it burns very well. Four years of studying Chemistry was not a total waste.

Yes, naphtha is very flammable. It was used as fuel in early petrol engines. Modern petrol is a complex mixture with naphtha being a major component. Also used as a (rather risky) solvent for some paints and varnishes.
The fuel used in petrol lighters is generally naphtha, and AFAIK, Coleman fuel is also naphtha. It is the favoured fuel for petrol burning camp stoves and lanterns, and burns more cleanly than standard automotive petrol.

[clv101]

The whole idea that the US can somehow guarantee ‘freedom of navigation’ is falling apart now - and what little they can do comes at a huge cost.

“British Oil Tanker Carrying Russian Naphta On Fire In The Red Sea After Houthi Missile Strike”

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/briti ... ile-strike

I'd be inclined to let that one burn - the oil/naphtha is probably worth more than the boat. It would be interesting who has insured it. Trafigura is a company owned by Jews based in Switzerland/Singapore that was originally associated with Marc Rich who was pardoned by Bill Clinton on the latter's last day as President for sanctions busting with Iran. Go figure.

It's an amazing story. Read Javier Blas' book 'World for Sale' for details of the shady world of commodity trading.

[clv101]

From Blas:

Commodity trader Trafigura says fire on board the tanker hit yesterday by Houthis missiles has been extinguished. “The vessel is now sailing towards a safe harbour,” it said

[Mark]

Amazed they've managed to extinguish a fire on a tanker full of Naphtha - must have hit an area not containing it ?
Sounds like an extremely luck escape....

From the report:
“The vessel is carrying Russian-origin naphtha purchased below price cap in line with G7 sanctions,” a spokesperson said, however some have voiced questions about how a venerated Swiss merchant procured the Russian commodity.

Other reports:
“British Oil Tanker Carrying Russian Naphta On Fire In The Red Sea After Houthi Missile Strike”

So...., is the tanker officially Swiss or British ?
& who was behind purchasing Russian-origin Naphtha ?
Lots of questions - sounds very dodgy, so clever targeting by the Houthis...

[BritDownUnder]

Could be registered in one of Britain's overseas territories and owned by some overseas businessman residing in London for tax reasons making it about as British as Boris Berezovsky. One has to wonder who insured the cargo as I thought that was not allowed to insure Russian cargoes. If Trafigura insured it they probably won't do it again. If Russia insured it then it could be their loss. I guess the informal bush telegraph that informed the Houthis of who owned the cargo probably failed at this point.

Maybe a convoy system could be introduced for these waters - at a price of course.

The tanks could be flushed with nitrogen I suppose but it was quite a lucky escape. There was a tale of a tanker going to Malta during WW2 that also took a lot of hits but managed to survive strapped between two warships.

[adam2]

The tanks could be flushed with nitrogen I suppose but it was quite a lucky escape. There was a tale of a tanker going to Malta during WW2 that also took a lot of hits but managed to survive strapped between two warships.

The OHIO, I believe, captained by a captain Dudley Mason to whom I am distantly related. it was a heroic feat of seamanship for which he was awarded the George Cross. The ship was a write off, but the cargo of petrol (mainly for aircraft) and paraffin (for lighting and cooking) was saved.
The tanker was abandoned and later re boarded from a lifeboat.

[adam2]

Latest, USA ATTACKS "Iran linked" targets in Iraq and in Syria.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-68144478