The move by Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd come as militants off the coast of Yemen step up strikes against merchant vessels.
Spiralling attacks on merchant ships by Houthi militants off the coast of Yemen have prompted widespread trade disruption with some of the world’s biggest vessel owners evaluating whether it’s safe to send crews through the Red Sea.
Two of the world’s largest container shipping lines said on Friday that they were pausing transits through the Red Sea after their vessels were attacked. Two oil tanker companies have now said they are insisting on a clause in charters that will allow them to send their ships around Africa if they deem the waters off Yemen unsafe.
The moves will pile pressure on the US and its allies to improve security along one of the world’s most important trade corridors to avoid undermining the global economic recovery. An international trade group called for more military support to end the attacks.
Houthi militants have been attacking more merchant ships in the Red Sea – especially vessels that they claim are connected to Israel – in response to the war in Gaza.
A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S, the world’s second-largest owner of container ships, said in a statement on Friday that it has instructed its vessels heading for the southern entrance of the Red Sea to pause their voyages. Its vessel Maersk Gibraltar was attacked.
Shortly after Maersk’s announcement, Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd AG announced a halt until Monday, “then will decide for the period after”.
“Following the near-miss incident involving Maersk Gibraltar yesterday and yet another attack on a container vessel today, we have instructed all Maersk vessels in the area bound to pass through the Bab al-Mandab Strait to pause their journey until further notice,” Maersk said.
Bab al-Mandab is a narrow stretch of water that links the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea. Any ship using the Suez Canal as a short cut between Asia and Europe must go through it.
Houthis threaten to hit Israel-bound Red Sea ships unless aid enters Gaza
Maersk said its No 1 priority was the safety of its crews, highlighting the challenge of balancing its customers’ needs against the duty to look after the staff.
