Houthis attack cargo ships
Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk stop trips through the Red Sea
December 15, 2023, 6:25 p.m
The Iran-aligned Houthi rebels are targeting international cargo ships in the Red Sea. Due to the tense security situation, freighters from the shipping companies Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk are no longer heading to the sea area for the time being.
After the recent attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea, the Danish shipping giant Maersk and the German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd are suspending their container trips through the Red Sea. Maersk said it was deeply concerned about the escalated security situation in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The latest attacks are alarming and pose a significant threat to the safety of seafarers. Hapag-Lloyd spoke of a temporary measure until Monday. The situation will then be reassessed.
After a near miss by the “Maersk Gibraltar” on Thursday and another attack on a container ship today, all Maersk ships in the area that were supposed to sail through the Bab al-Mandab Strait were called upon to suspend their journeys until further notice, he said Danish company. The situation will continue to be monitored closely. The company strives to ensure the best possible stability of customers’ supply chains and is taking measures to keep the impact on customers as low as possible.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are threatening to block ships of any nationality bound for Israel from passing through the Red Sea. Only freighters delivering aid to the Gaza Strip would be granted passage. Several ships have been attacked since then, most recently a container freighter belonging to the German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd. The “Al Jasrah” was damaged in the attack in the strait between Yemen and Djibouti, and there were no injuries, said a spokesman for the Hamburg shipping company.
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemned the attacks on cargo ships. “The attacks by the Houthis on civilian merchant ships in the Red Sea must stop immediately,” demanded the Green politician during a visit to Berlin by acting Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib. The attacks also underlined “that the security threat to Israel comes not only from Hamas in Gaza, but also from the Houthis.” They threatened international shipping and freedom of trade routes.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait lies between Africa’s east coast and the Arabian Peninsula, connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. The strait is part of the Suez Canal route and one of the most important shipping routes in the world.