ALBAWABA - The Danish shipping giant, Maersk, announced that its fleet would not resume crossing a strategic strait in the Red Sea after suspending operations due to a Houthi attack on one of its vessels.
The company stated, "We have decided to halt all transit operations in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden until further notice," adding that an investigation is ongoing.
Maersk reported that its Danish container ship, "Maersk Hangzhou," was hit by a missile while passing through the Bab el-Mandeb strait. Subsequently, it faced an attack from four Houthi-affiliated ships attempting to board.
Following the incident, the U.S. military confirmed sinking three Houthi ships after attacks on a container ship belonging to the Danish company. Ten rebels were reported killed in this strike, according to their spokesperson.
Maersk. (Shutterstock)
Maersk stated, "In situations where it makes more sense for our customers, vessels will be rerouted (via) the Cape of Good Hope" in the southernmost part of Africa.
With 12% of global trade passing through the Red Sea, according to the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), this sea serves as a "fast maritime route" connecting the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, linking Europe to Asia. Around 20,000 ships pass through the Suez Canal annually, serving as the entry and exit point for vessels traversing this region.
This marks the second time Maersk has suspended navigation in the Red Sea.
In mid-December, following similar actions by other global maritime transport giants, the Danish company halted its ships' passage through this major trade route after attacks carried out by Yemen's Houthi rebels.
The company initially announced it would resume operations on December 24th before suspending them again a week later.
