2023-12-18 15:24:03
Maritime transport risks disruptions after multiple attacks by the Houthis. The British hydrocarbon giant BP and the Taiwanese maritime transport giant Evergreen announced on Monday December 18 that they were also suspending all transit in the Red Sea. Friday and Saturday, several major players in global maritime transport made the same decision.
“In view of the deteriorating security situation of maritime transport in the Red Sea, BP has decided to temporarily suspend all transits via the Red Sea”communicated the group in a statement sent to Agence France-Presse. “The safety and security of our people and those who work on our behalf is BP’s priority”added the company, which also says that this break will be constantly re-evaluated “depending on circumstances as they evolve in the region”.
The Taiwanese company explains in a note to its customers that due to “the escalation of the war situation in recent days [elle] will temporarily suspend cargo imports and exports to or from Israel due to increasing risks and security considerations, effective immediately, until further notice.”.
Ships with ties to Israel targeted
After attacks perpetrated by Houthi rebels from Yemen, the Danish Maersk, the German Hapag-Lloyd, the French CMA CGM and the Italian-Swiss MSC had announced in recent days that their ships would no longer use the Red Sea ” until further notice “at least until Monday or until the passage ” be sure “.
In recent weeks, Yemeni rebels, close to Iran, have increased attacks near the strategic Bab Al-Mandab strait, which separates the Arabian Peninsula from Africa, and through which 40% of international trade passes.
The Houthis have warned they will target ships sailing off the coast of Yemen with links to Israel, in response to the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Several missiles and drones were shot down by warships patrolling the area. An explosion occurred on Monday on this maritime route off the coast of Yemen, two maritime security agencies announced.
Passage of 20,000 ships per year
On Saturday, a US destroyer shot down more than a dozen drones launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in the Red Sea, the US military announced.
The head of French diplomacy, Catherine Colonna, visiting Israel, declared on Sunday that the attacks in the Red Sea perpetrated by Houthi rebels “cannot remain unanswered”.
The Red Sea is a “sea highway” connecting the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, and therefore Europe to Asia. Around 20,000 ships pass through the Suez Canal each year, the entry and exit point for ships passing through the Red Sea. Concerns over supply difficulties via the Red Sea trade route, coupled with the weakness of the dollar, pushed oil prices higher on Monday.
The affected companies represent “around half of the global container shipping market”Albert Jan Swart, analyst at ABN Amro, told Archyde.com. “Avoiding the Red Sea will result in higher costs due to longer travel times”he added.
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