Maersk, a Danish shipping corporation, has halted all Red Sea voyages.
The decision follows a string of attacks on warships fired from a region of Yemen controlled by the Houthis, an Iran-backed rebel outfit.
The gang has professed their support for Hamas and claims to be targeting ships bound for Israel.
The Red Sea is one of the world’s most important oil and petroleum shipping routes.
“The recent attacks on commercial vessels in the area are alarming and pose a significant threat to the safety and security of seafarers,” said Maersk, one of the world’s largest shipping corporations, in a statement to the BBC.
Shipping Firm Maersk Pauses Red Sea Journeys Over Attacks
“Following the near-miss incident involving Maersk Gibraltar yesterday and yet another attack on a container vessel today, we have instructed all Maersk vessels in the area bound to pass through the Bab al-Mandab Strait to pause their journey until further notice,” the statement said.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait, also known as the Gate of Tears, is a 20-mile-wide (32-kilometer) channel notorious for its treacherous navigation.
It is located on the Arabian Peninsula, between Yemen and Djibouti, and on the African coast, between Eritrea and Djibouti.
It is the southern way for ships to access the Suez Canal, an important shipping lane in and of itself. Avoiding it necessitates vessels taking far longer routes, such as circumnavigating southern Africa.
Over 17,000 ships and 10% of world trade pass through every year. Any ship traveling to or from the Indian Ocean must pass through Suez.
Shipping Firm Maersk Pauses Red Sea Journeys Over Attacks
On Friday, at least two other cargo ships in the strait were attacked. The US claims one was hit by a drone and another by missiles and blames both attacks on the Houthis.
The Houthis would not acknowledge the drone attack, but they did claim to have fired missiles at two boats.
Since seizing power from the country’s government in 2014, the organization has seized sections of Yemen, sparking an ongoing civil conflict.
Before the Maersk announcement, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who is currently on a trip to the Middle East, stated that the Houthis were endangering freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, which is critical for oil and cargo shipments.
“The United States is working with the international community, with partners from the region and from all over the world to deal with this threat,” said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Earlier this month, three drones fired from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen were shot down by a US destroyer after three commercial vessels were attacked in the Red Sea.
Shipping Firm Maersk Pauses Red Sea Journeys Over Attacks
Just days before that incident, the US said that another vessel had apprehended armed men who had earlier seized an Israeli-linked tanker off the coast of Yemen.
The Houthis released video footage last month showing armed men jumping from a helicopter and seizing a cargo ship in the southern Red Sea.
Maersk is a global shipping company that operates a fleet of container ships and provides logistics and transportation services worldwide. The company is known for its extensive network and efficient supply chain solutions, serving a wide range of industries, including retail, manufacturing, and energy.
Maersk plays a significant role in international trade, facilitating the global movement of goods and commodities.
With a focus on sustainability and innovation, Maersk continues to be a major player in the shipping and logistics industry.
SOURCE – BBC
