This is one of the consequences of the situation in Gaza. The Houthis, supported by Iran, are increasing attacks on ships in the Red Sea. They warned that they would target the flags of countries with ties to Israel. This was the case again on Friday December 15 when missiles were sent against two container ships from the Italian-Swiss shipowner MSC. Faced with this threat, shipping companies are seeking to avoid this passage
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The giant CMA CGM, the leading French maritime carrier, announced on Saturday December 16 that it was suspending, like the Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd groups, the crossing of the Red Sea by its container ships after attacks perpetrated against ships by Houthi rebels from Yemen. The group has “ decided to order all CMA CGM container ships in the region that must pass through the Red Sea to reach safe zones » or not to leave waters deemed safe, “ with immediate effect and until further notice », According to a press release. “ The situation continues to deteriorate and security concerns increase », asserts CMA CGM to justify its decision.
The Italian-Swiss shipowner Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) also announced on Saturday that it, like other giants in the sector, was refusing to operate ships on the Red Sea. Its ships will no longer use the Suez Canal. until passage through the Red Sea is safe », Explains the company in a press release, specifying that no crew member was injured Friday in the attack targeting the “MSC Palatium III”. The ship suffered “ limited damage due to fire “.
On Friday, the Danish juggernaut Maersk and the German Hapag-Lloyd indicated a similar decision, the first “ until further notice », after suffering an attack on his ship Gibraltar, and the second at least until Monday.
The threat is becoming too strong
Around 20,000 ships travel each year on this route which connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean. In recent weeks, the Houthis 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.
Yemeni rebels, close to Iran, have warned that they will target ships sailing off the coast of Yemen with links to Israel, in response to the war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip. They said Friday that boats would not be targeted off Yemen if they met their directives, but that ships bound for Israeli ports would be “ prevented from sailing in the Arabian Sea and Red Sea until the entry of food and medicine that our brothers in the Gaza Strip need “.
All Israeli boats are already diverted, because for three weeks the Hebrew state has been targeted, the Houthis said. In reality, the threat continues to grow, with attacks against several ships flying the flags of the Bahamas or Norway.
Read alsoGaza: faced with Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, Washington is considering a “maritime coalition”
Towards a slowdown in maritime trade?
Several missiles and drones were shot down by US and French warships patrolling the area. United Kingdom Defense Minister Grant Shapps announced on Saturday that the British destroyer HMS Diamond had shot down a “ suspected attack drone that targeted merchant shipping in the Red Sea. »
Maersk mentions increases of 200% in insurance premiums in the area. The ships will therefore have to change route, but passing south via the Cape of Good Hope proves to be long and expensive. The Red Sea has been watched like milk on fire by the international community for years. This “motorway of the sea” linking the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean is a major geopolitical and commercial zone.
This could permanently slow down maritime trade. Freight prices which collapsed this year after the post-covid euphoria are starting to rise again.
Paul Tourret, maritime transport specialist
(With AFP)
For Egypt, the Suez Canal is the second economic resource after tourism
For RFI, Paul Tourret, specialist in maritime transport, the canal is a sort of income for Egypt and represents approximately 7 to 8 billion dollars. “ 25,000 ships, loaded or not, pass through the canal. So Egypt can worry very quickly about its revenues. The entire economic model of Egypt and its hundred million inhabitants is to be able to have this permanent resource. This could also encourage Egypt, with several countries, to consider, perhaps with Saudi Arabia, that it is absolutely necessary to secure the Bab al-Mandab Strait and to eliminate this nuisance, as a few years ago, the West had eliminated the nuisance of Somali piracy, in approximately the same area. Initially, we were more focused on a conflict in Gaza. Here, we are really dealing with a wider nuisance », Explains the specialist.