Greece's Cosmoship Management on Thursday said one person is believed dead and four more have not been seen since Houthi militants attacked the Eternity C cargo ship in the Red Sea this week.

Houthi rebels in Yemen have launched a violent new wave of attacks on ships in the Red Sea, sinking two vessels and killing crew members.

Since the Houthis began their campaign in the Red Sea following the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, scheduled vessels such as container ships and car carriers have largely deserted the Suez Canal route between Asia and Europe. Instead they have taken the far longer journey around the Cape of Good Hope.

Oil prices were steady on Wednesday as investors weighed strong U.S. gasoline demand data and attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, while U.S. copper tariffs loomed.

Germany said its aircraft was in the middle of a routine flight in support of the European Union's counter-Houthi mission.