The 10,061 TEU (20-foot equivalent unit) containership Cosco Asia has said to have been attacked while transiting the Suez Canal on Saturday, according to press reports. Details of the alleged attack vary, with some reports claiming that two explosions were heard aboard the vessel, while others suggest the ship was fired at from shore, possibly with a rocket propelled grenade.

The vessel is said to have experienced a fire and an explosion in a container on board, at 15:55 hrs on Saturday while exiting the Suez Canal with the northbound convoy. The fire was subsequently extinguished, following which the vessel was halted at sea for survey.

Suez Canal Authorities on Saturday said that “terrorist elements” staged an unsuccessful attack on Cosco Asia “in an attempt to disrupt the flow of vessels through the waterway”, the head of the Suez Canal Authority Mohab Memish told Reuters.