Houthi militants stop attacks on non-Israeli ships, ship companies say
The Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC), established by the Houthis, said in a statement that it would stop attacks on non-Israeli ships. After the release of the statement, some liner companies have responded to this.
Among them, the world's largest liner company Mediterranean Shipping (MSC) said that given the current situation in the Red Sea is still unclear, the company will continue to avoid the Red Sea until the situation is safe.
Mr. Hapag-lloyd took a similar line: "We will closely analyze the latest developments and their implications for the security situation in the Red Sea and return to the Red Sea when it is safe enough."
Linerlytica, a shipping analyst, said CMA CGM was "testing Red Sea return".
According to Linerlytica, CMA CGM COLUMBA, a container ship owned by CMA CGM, is scheduled to transit the Suez Canal eastward on January 23, 2025. The ship passed through the Suez Canal on its westbound leg last month. Some industry insiders believe that this marks the possible return of CMA CGM to the Red Sea route. It is understood that the above voyage of CMA CGM was escorted by the French Navy.
Cma CGM has said it is closely monitoring the situation in the Red Sea region and hopes the situation will return to stability and security. "With regard to the Red Sea, our top priority remains the safety of our seafarers, ships and cargo," CMA CGM stressed.
Since the outbreak of a new round of Israeli-Palestinian conflict in October 2023, Yemen's Houthi armed forces began to attack ships in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea waters, demanding that Israel stop military operations in the Palestinian Gaza Strip.
In this context, large liner companies have chosen to sail around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa to avoid the waters of the Red Sea for safety reasons. Factors such as rising operating costs and tight capacity caused by detour have also pushed up freight rates on Asia-Europe routes.
The Houthis will stop attacks on three types of ships: those managed or operated by Israeli individuals or entities, those heading to Israeli ports, and those owned or flagged by U.S. or British entities.
HOCC stressed that ships wholly owned by Israeli individuals or entities and ships flying the Israeli flag will continue to be targeted. Such vessels are still banned from passing through the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
HOCC also said that in the event of any aggression by the United States, Britain or Israel against Yemen, sanctions will be reimposed on the aggressor country and relevant parties will be notified in a timely manner.
According to incomplete statistics, more than 100 ships have been targeted since the Houthis attacked and seized the cargo ship Galaxy Leader and its crew on November 19, 2023.
Among them, the world's largest liner company Mediterranean Shipping (MSC) said that given the current situation in the Red Sea is still unclear, the company will continue to avoid the Red Sea until the situation is safe.
Mr. Hapag-lloyd took a similar line: "We will closely analyze the latest developments and their implications for the security situation in the Red Sea and return to the Red Sea when it is safe enough."
Linerlytica, a shipping analyst, said CMA CGM was "testing Red Sea return".
According to Linerlytica, CMA CGM COLUMBA, a container ship owned by CMA CGM, is scheduled to transit the Suez Canal eastward on January 23, 2025. The ship passed through the Suez Canal on its westbound leg last month. Some industry insiders believe that this marks the possible return of CMA CGM to the Red Sea route. It is understood that the above voyage of CMA CGM was escorted by the French Navy.
Cma CGM has said it is closely monitoring the situation in the Red Sea region and hopes the situation will return to stability and security. "With regard to the Red Sea, our top priority remains the safety of our seafarers, ships and cargo," CMA CGM stressed.
Since the outbreak of a new round of Israeli-Palestinian conflict in October 2023, Yemen's Houthi armed forces began to attack ships in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea waters, demanding that Israel stop military operations in the Palestinian Gaza Strip.
In this context, large liner companies have chosen to sail around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa to avoid the waters of the Red Sea for safety reasons. Factors such as rising operating costs and tight capacity caused by detour have also pushed up freight rates on Asia-Europe routes.
The Houthis will stop attacks on three types of ships: those managed or operated by Israeli individuals or entities, those heading to Israeli ports, and those owned or flagged by U.S. or British entities.
HOCC stressed that ships wholly owned by Israeli individuals or entities and ships flying the Israeli flag will continue to be targeted. Such vessels are still banned from passing through the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
HOCC also said that in the event of any aggression by the United States, Britain or Israel against Yemen, sanctions will be reimposed on the aggressor country and relevant parties will be notified in a timely manner.
According to incomplete statistics, more than 100 ships have been targeted since the Houthis attacked and seized the cargo ship Galaxy Leader and its crew on November 19, 2023.
