In this article, we will discuss the Danish shipping company Maersk ceasing operations in the Red Sea for 48 hours after Houthi militants attacked the Maersk vessel twice – just days after the company resumed sailing following a previous halt due to earlier attacks in the area.
Main Facts
On Saturday, the Singapore-owned Maersk Hangzhou was targeted by a missile in the southern Red Sea, according to U.S. Central Command, with U.S. Navy ships responding by downing two ballistic missiles launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
Less than 24 hours later, four small Houthi boats attacked the same vessel, firing small arms and attempting to board the ship, prompting the onboard security team to return fire, according to Central Command.
When U.S. Navy helicopters responded, the boats fired upon them, causing aircraft to return fire in self-defense, resulting in the sinking of three of the four boats and the death of their crews, according to Central Command.
Maersk confirmed the incidents, stating in a Forbes magazine statement that the Maersk Hangzhou encountered an “unknown object” but was able to continue sailing, later coming under attack from four boats that were stopped by the Navy and the security team onboard the vessel.
The company is currently investigating the details of the incident entirely and will postpone all transits through the area for the next 48 hours “to allow time to investigate the details of the incident and further assess the security situation.”
Maersk confirms that the ship’s crew is safe.
Main Background
The Houthis are a militant group based in Yemen and allied with Hamas, having conducted a series of attacks on vessels traveling through the Red Sea, disrupting global trade and travel through the maritime route. Maersk vessels faced attempts at attack earlier this month, prompting the company to halt all shipments in the Red Sea. After the deployment of a U.S.-led security task force in the Red Sea, Maersk announced its intention to resume travel through the area, with vessels departing late in December. However, the recent attack underscores the volatility still occurring in the region and one of the main impacts of the Israel-Hamas war. The German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd, also a major shipping line, has suspended travel through the Red Sea and has not resumed it after the security operation was announced, deeming the area “too dangerous.” Shipping companies have been forced to look for longer and more expensive alternative routes. Houthi representatives indicated their intention to continue blocking the passage of Israeli ships or those heading to “occupied Palestine,” according to Forbes magazine.
The Big Number
14,000. This is the number of shipping containers that the Maersk Hangzhou can carry. The vessel operates a service between Europe and Asia, according to Forbes magazine.
Side Note
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron stated on Twitter that he spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian regarding the attacks, as Iran supports the Houthis. “I confirmed that Iran bears responsibility for preventing these attacks given its continued support for the Houthis,” he said.
Forward-Looking Statement
Maersk to resume operations in the Red Sea despite security concerns.
For additional information, you can visit the following sources:
– Maersk halts shipments through the Red Sea following recent Houthi attacks.
– The U.S. imposes sanctions on the Houthis’ financing network in response to Red Sea attacks.
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