Maersk Pauses Operations in Red Sea After Attack by Iran-Backed Houthi Rebels
Shipping giant Maersk announced on Tuesday that it will be pausing operations in the Red Sea “until further notice” after another attack by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen over the weekend. The Danish company stated that “We have decided to pause all transits through the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden until further notice. In cases where it makes most sense for our customers, vessels will be rerouted and continue their journey around the Cape of Good Hope.”
The decision comes after months of Houthi rebels based in Yemen attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea in retaliation for Israel’s assault on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. The attacks have caused major disruptions in shipping, with many companies pausing or rerouting shipments around the Cape of Good Hope, adding costs and delays.
Maersk had previously indicated that it was prepared to allow vessels to resume sailing through the Red Sea, thanks to the start of a U.S.-led international naval operation to protect ships from Houthi rebel attacks. However, the recent attack has led the company to reverse course and pause all Red Sea sailings for the time being.
“We remain committed to minimizing the impact on our customers’ supply chains and will continue to keep you updated on the situation,” Maersk said in a statement.
The pause in Red Sea operations by Maersk is expected to have a significant impact on global shipping and trade. The company had previously signaled that it would resume shipments after a 48-hour pause, but the recent attack has led to an indefinite suspension of operations in the region.
Fox News has reached out to Maersk for further updates on the situation. In the meantime, many shipping companies are facing the challenge of navigating the Red Sea, with some opting to reroute their vessels to avoid the area of conflict. The disruptions in shipping are likely to continue until a resolution is reached in the region.