Situation in Red Sea raises concerns – Houthis disrupt supply chain

Many major carriers said they were changing their Red Sea route due to increased frequency attacks Houthis: including energy giant BP, international container shipping operator MCS, Danish company Maersk and Taiwan’s Evergreen. The US is taking control of the situation.

Already 60% of participants in the global transportation market are avoiding this route, which will lead to increased costs and the final cost of goods. Instead of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, carriers plan to use a longer route around southern Africa, which will take 10 more days.

Yemeni rebels have declared their support for Hamas and strike on ships heading to Israel using drones and missiles. Ansar Allah said: “The blockade in the Red Sea will continue until our brothers in Gaza receive food and medicine.”

On Monday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on the Swan Atlantic tanker and the Clara container ship. Denmark-based operator Uni-Tankers said Swan Atlantic was transporting vegetable oil from Madagascar to the French island of Reunion. But the rebels accused the ships of having ties to Israel.

The disruption to supply chains across the Red Sea could have far-reaching consequences as passage through the Panama Canal, the main trade route between Asia and the United States, is limited due to lack of rainfall. Analysts said some companies were planning to shift routes to the Red Sea to avoid delays at the Panama Canal.

The cancellation will add to the problems for cash-strapped Egypt, as the fees that shipping companies pay to travel through the Suez Canal represent a significant source of income for a country whose economy is struggling with high inflation and a weakening currency. reports euronews.

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin announced the creation of an international mission, primarily involving the United States and its NATO allies, to protect merchant ships from the East through the Red Sea from attacks. reports Associated Press. On the morning of December 19 in Bahrain, Austin called the security situation in the Red Sea an international challenge requiring a joint response.

In addition to the United States, the mission will include Great Britain, Canada, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Bahrain. Some of these countries will take part in patrols in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to protect merchant ships from Houthi attacks from Yemen, while others will provide intelligence.

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