Two of the world’s largest shipping firms, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, have announced the suspension of passage through a Red Sea strait due to recent attacks by Yemeni rebels. The Iran-backed Houthis have been targeting shipping in an attempt to pressure Israel during its ongoing conflict with Palestinian Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. This maritime tension has raised concerns about the potential spread of the Gaza conflict.
Hapag-Lloyd, a German transport company, stated that it would halt Red Sea container ship traffic until December 18 following an attack on one of its vessels by the Houthis. Similarly, Danish firm Maersk instructed all its vessels bound to pass through the Bab Al-Mandab Strait to pause their journey until further notice. These decisions were made in response to a near-miss incident involving Maersk Gibraltar and the recent attack on a Hapag-Lloyd cargo ship in the Red Sea.
The attacked vessel, identified as the Liberia-flagged Al-Jasrah, was struck by a projectile launched from a Houthi-controlled region of Yemen. Although the ship sustained damage and a fire broke out, it was successfully extinguished. Fortunately, there were no casualties, and the ship continued its journey from the Greek port of Piraeus to Singapore.
During a pro-Palestinian rally in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, the rebels claimed responsibility for attacking two other ships in the area. They targeted container ships MSC Palatium and MSC Alanya as they were heading toward Israel. The rebels stated that the attack was intended as retaliation for the “oppression of the Palestinian people.” CENTCOM confirmed that the MSC Alanya was threatened but not struck, while the Palatium was hit by one of two ballistic missiles fired.
The Houthis have previously declared their intention to prevent the passage of ships heading to Israel if food and medicine are not allowed into Gaza. Last month, they seized an Israel-linked cargo vessel, the Galaxy Leader, along with its crew members. These attacks not only endanger Israel’s security but also international shipping routes, according to Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.
The United States National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan expressed concern over the Houthi attacks and stated that the US is working with the international community to address this threat. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan also emphasized the complexity of the region and the need to avoid further conflicts. The Saudi-led military coalition has been supporting the Yemeni government against the Houthis, and a UN-brokered cease-fire has largely held since expiring over a year ago.
The attack on the Al-Jasrah occurred near Bab Al-Mandab, a narrow strait through which around 20,000 ships pass annually. This area is strategically significant as it leads to the Red Sea, Israel’s southern port facilities, and the Suez Canal. It serves as a crucial route for Gulf oil and natural gas shipments. The Houthis have aligned themselves with Iran-affiliated groups and have been targeted by Western warships patrolling the area.
The recent suspension of shipping traffic in the Red Sea highlights the escalating tensions caused by the Houthi attacks. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and working to find a resolution. The disruption to global commerce emphasizes the need for stability in the region and the importance of safeguarding vital shipping routes.