Second Iranian Aid Ship Heads for Yemen

zoomPort of Aden Another Iranian ship carrying aid has left Iran on its way to Yemen as the war in the country continues with the Saudi led air campaign in its 11th week. The ship, identified as Arezou, carrying 8,000 tons of rice and 1,000 tons of sugar, departed Imam Khomeini Port on Saturday. The first Iranian ship carrying aid for Yemeni people was prevented from entering the country directly and had to divert to Djibouti where it was unloaded. The Iran Shahed cargo ship, carrying 2,500 tons of humanitarian aid to war-stricken Yemen, was expected to arrive to Hodaida port, which is controlled by Houthi fighters, on May 21 under the escort of Iranian navy, circumventing mandatory inspection in Yemeni waters imposed by Saudi-led coalition. However, having been faced with fierce opposition from the US and Saudi Arabia, Iran caved in and diverted the ship to the UNs humanitarian hub Djibouti. Each vessel calling at any of the Yemeni ports is subject to inspection by the coalition forces warships. Ship owners wanting to enter Yemen need to get a permission prior to arrival of the vessel. Obtaining of the permission usually takes a week or more and once granted, marine insurer Skuld said. According to the latest update from Skuld, Adens Malla container port and oil port ARC remain closed. There is no tanker at anchorage, no tanker at berth and no expected tanker Aden oil port ARC. As informed, Balhaf port located in the Burum Coastal Area of Yemen and Ras Isa oil terminal northwest of Hodaidah city are closed as well. Aden oil port, Hodiedah port and Saleef port are operating normally. World Maritime News Staff