Hong Kong-based shipping company OOCL announced the suspension of cargo transportation to and from Israel until further notice. According to Israeli media reports, the company stated that it would stop dealing with Israeli shipments of any kind to any port, whether imports or exports.
This decision comes as the Danish company Maersk and the German maritime transport company Hapag-Lloyd, on Friday, announced the suspension of their ships’ passage through the Red Sea in light of attacks carried out by the Houthis in Yemen, against the backdrop of the war in Gaza.
Maersk, in a statement, mentioned, “Following the incident targeting the Maersk Gibraltar ship and the new attack against a container carrier today, we have asked all Maersk ships in the region required to cross the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to suspend sailing until further notice.”
Similarly, Hapag-Lloyd announced the suspension of its ships’ passage through the Red Sea until at least Monday, as reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP). The company clarified that one of its ships “was targeted in an attack while sailing near the coast of Yemen,” confirming that this did not result in “any casualties.”
The decision by Maersk comes after the Houthis warned that they would target ships linked to Israel in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen, in response to Israel’s war on Gaza.
The recent escalation in attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, particularly near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, has led to significant concerns and responses from major global shipping companies. These attacks have been attributed to the Houthi movement, aligned with Iran, and are occurring amidst the backdrop of broader regional conflicts, including the Israel-Hamas war.
The Houthis, who control much of Yemen and have been involved in a protracted conflict there, have declared their intention to target shipping to pressure Israel during its offensive on Gaza. They have claimed responsibility for the attacks and stated their intention to continue targeting ships linked to Israel. The US Central Command has indicated that these attacks, launched by the Houthis, are enabled by Iran, and represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security. This situation has raised the risk of the conflict spreading further, with the US and its allies considering all appropriate responses to these provocations.
These developments in the Red Sea have significant implications for global trade, as the region is a vital shipping lane for massive oil and goods shipments. The threat to commercial shipping in this strategically important area has prompted international concern and efforts to secure the safety of maritime traffic. The situation remains tense and is closely monitored by the international community, especially given the strategic importance of the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the potential for broader regional implications of these attacks.
