Two other shipping giants have already announced similar measures, after an increase in drone attacks against commercial ships by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
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Concern continues to mount in one of the world’s main trade corridors. The giant CMA CGM, the leading French maritime carrier, announced that it was suspending the crossing of the Red Sea by its container ships after attacks perpetrated by Houthi rebels from Yemen against ships, in a press release published on Saturday December 16.
The group has “decided to order all CMA CGM container ships in the region which 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 company press release. “The situation continues to deteriorate and security concerns are increasing”, asserts CMA CGM to justify its decision. The Danish juggernaut Maersk and the German Hapag-Lloyd took a similar decision on Friday, the first “until further notice” and the second at least until Monday.
A passage for 40% of international trade
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. Several missiles and drones were shot down by warships patrolling the area.
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.
