Emmanuel OchayiIn an unprecedented move, major shipping companies halted Red Sea shipments after Houthi attacks.
The suspension was triggered by the attacks on vessels by Yemeni Houthi rebels, prompting A.P. Moller-Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd to temporarily cease operations in the region.
Two cargo ships in the Red Sea fell victim to missile attacks launched from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen, according to the United States. The vessels, crucial for global trade, were attacked in the Bab El Mandab, a narrow strait of water.
The Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have claimed responsibility, asserting their support for Hamas and targeting ships bound for Israel.
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The first ship, a container vessel named Al Jasrah owned by German transport company Hapag-Lloyd and flagged to Liberia, was hit by a drone. The ship, en route from the Greek port of Piraeus to Singapore, sustained damage, but there were no casualties, and it is continuing its journey.
Speaking to Reuters, a Maersk spokesperson highlighted safety concerns, prompting the halt until further notice.
Houthis’ threats, specifically targeting vessels with Israeli ties, have sent shockwaves across the shipping industry, affecting approximately 10% of global trade passing through the Red Sea.
This has pushed companies like MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, and Maersk—holding 40% of the global trade vessel market share—to reconsider their routes.
The escalating situation has forced Israel-based ZIM to redirect its vessels around South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, incurring longer travel times and increased fuel costs.
With 13 vessels attacked since the Israel-Hamas conflict began, the industry faces a challenging navigation landscape amidst rising tensions.
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