No quick resolution in sight: Red Sea attacks force vessels to divert

Shipping firms remain cautious about transiting through the Suez Canal and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, considering the ongoing terror attacks on commercial vessels, US-based logistics firm Flexport said.

PHOTO: A container vessel passing through the Suez Canal. Suez Canal Authority

As of 28 December, AIS data showed that about 350 of the 620 commercial vessels that regularly transit through the Suez Canal have or are scheduled to be rerouted via the Cape of Good Hope due to growing maritime security risk in the Red Sea.

Several shipping firms including Germany’s Hapag-Llyod said it will continue to avert the Red Sea for the safety of crew members.

“Due to the longer transit times sailing south of the Cape of Good Hope, carriers have already announced blank sailings out of Asia in January in order to restore schedules,” the logistics firm added.

Vessels reportedly under attack

Maritime risk management firm Ambrey has reported that several vessels have recently been subjected to various forms of attacks by Houthis, including proximate UAS explosions or strikes, and missile attacks. Some of the affected vessels include the following:

• Symi, a Malta-flagged vessel owned by CMA CGM
• Maersk Gibraltar, a Hong Kong-flagged vessel owned by A.P. Moller-Maersk
• Three vessels owned by Mediterranean Shipping Company - MSC Palatium III, MSC Alanya, and MSC United VIII - all Liberian flagged.

Meanwhile, the US Central Command claimed to have shot down one attack drone and one missile fired by the Houthis yesterday. The group has attempted to attack global shipping 22 times since 19 October, it said.

Operation Prosperity Guardian

Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk, French shipping company CMA CGM, and Shanghai-based COSCO Shipping have gradually resumed Suez Canal transits in both eastbound and westbound directions, under the protection of Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG).

“The x-factor here is Operation Prosperity Guardian and whether carriers believe the multi-national military coalition can keep their crew and cargo safe when transiting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden,” Flexport added.

The US-led multinational maritime task force has been deployed to counter attacks by Houthis and safeguard commercial vessels while operating through the troublesome region.

By Aparupa Mazumder 

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