Maersk, the world’s largest company in container transportation, stopped all its flights in the region after the attacks of the Houthis in the Red Sea.
Danish giant Maersk said it would “pause” all container shipments until further notice following the attack on the Maersk Gibraltar ship on Thursday.
Meanwhile, German company Hapag-Lloyd said it had stopped sailings until at least Monday after one of its ships was targeted on Friday.
This decision follows a series of attacks claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait at the southern tip of the Red Sea.
The group targets ships it believes are traveling to and from Israel to pressure Israel to stop bombing the Gaza Strip during its war with Hamas.
The attacks have raised fears that global supply chains could be severely disrupted if they continue.
The narrow and busy waterway is an important maritime trade route for ships traveling to and from the Suez Canal.
At least two cargo ships were hit in the region on Friday, and the Houthis again claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Earlier in the day, an unidentified projectile hit the Al Jasrah ship, operated by Hapag-Lloyd.
It was reported that the bullet started a fire on the ship and caused a container to fall into the sea.
Houthis promise to ‘block all ships going to Israeli ports’
The Houthis say they will continue to threaten shipping until Israel listens to their demands.
Rebel spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree said: “The Yemeni armed forces will stop all ships going to Israeli ports until they bring the food and medicine needed by our loyal brothers in the Gaza Strip.” [Kızıldeniz’de] “It confirms that they will continue to prevent people from watching it.”
A spokesperson for Maersk said: “Following the narrow escape of Maersk Gibraltar yesterday and another attack on a container ship today, we have instructed all Maersk ships in the area to transit the Bab el Mandeb Strait to halt their sailings until further notice.” .”
Earlier this week, the Norwegian tanker MT Strinda caught fire after being hit by a missile off the coast of Yemen.
Shipping company Mowinckel said the ship was carrying biofuel from Malaysia to Italy, but later announced that the ship was also planned to stop at the Israeli port of Ashdod on a “temporary” basis.
On Wednesday, the US Navy said it shot down a suspected Houthi drone that was heading towards one of its warships.
This incident occurred when the merchant ship Ardmore Encounter was attacked first by small boats and then by two missiles.
In November, the Houthis seized a cargo ship allegedly linked to Israel in the Red Sea and were still holding it near the port city of Hodeida. (7Sea)
The opinions expressed herein are the author’s and not necessarily those of News2Sea.
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