Situation still tense in the Red Sea. After the attack on one of its ships on Sunday by the Houthis, the Danish shipowner Maersk persists and signs: despite the presence of a military coalition to secure the area, the conditions are not met to continue sailing. Like its competitors, this Tuesday, January 2, Maersk confirms that it is suspending the passage of its ships through the Red Sea. On Tuesday evening, the British Maritime Safety Agency (UKMTO) reported explosions near a cargo ship in the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which separates the Arabian Peninsula from Africa.
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Up to three explosions rang out “1 to 5 nautical miles” from this ship which was traveling between the coasts of Eritrea and Yemen, the UKMTO agency said in a brief message on had been no damage and that the crew was ” except “.
In recent weeks, in the wake of the war between Israel and Hamas, the Yemeni Houthi rebels have increased attacks in the Red Sea and in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait through which 12% of world trade passes, according to the Chamber International Merchant Marine (ICS).
In its press release this Tuesday, the Danish giant announced its decision to interrupt “ until further notice all transits through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden “. Earlier in the day, another shipowner, the German Hapag Lloyd, announced that its ships would continue to avoid the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, at least until January 9. Date on which the situation will be reassessed.
Read alsoThe threat of the Houthis in the Red Sea, a real headache for the West
Sea transport prices have increased
Attacks carried out by the Houthis against several container ships in the Red Sea have forced maritime transport leaders in recent weeks to reroute some of their ships, forced to bypass Africa via the South to avoid the area. As a result, with longer journeys, logistics have become more complex and sea transport prices have increased.
On its site, the French shipowner CMA CGM indicates, for example, that some of its prices for transporting containers from Asia to the Mediterranean will be multiplied by two by January 15. The prospect of an increase in freight prices benefits shipowners. The Maersk and Hapag Lloyd groups both saw their shares rise on the stock market on Tuesday.
Read alsoGaza: Ships diverted from the Red Sea face congestion in African ports