High alert in the Red Sea

YEMEN’S Houthi rebels have been attacking merchant vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait off Yemen in November in an offensive against Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.

The Red Sea is a passage to Israel’s port facilities and the Suez Canal – the shortest maritime route between Asia and Europe and used by 12 per cent of global trade, representing 30 per cent of all global container traffic and over US$1 trillion worth of goods a year.

A US-led multinational security force has been deployed to the area and has shot down missiles and drones from the Houthis, with the latest fire exchange on Dec 31.

Here’s a look at some rebel attacks on merchant ships and what major carriers are doing to navigate the choppy waters in the Middle Eastern area.

2023

Nov 19: A vehicle carrier operated by Japan’s NYK is hijacked by the Houthis in the Red Sea

Dec 14: A near-miss incident occurs involving Maersk Gibraltar near Bab al-Mandab Strait

Dec 15: A vessel each of Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) are assaulted in the Red Sea, prompting Maersk to pause all sailings through the Red Sea

Dec 16: CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd pause sailings through the Red Sea. MSC to route around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa

Dec 18: Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM announce sailing through Africa

Dec 19: Maersk to divert voyages from the Red Sea to Africa

Dec 24: Maersk announces it will resume sailing through the Red Sea under naval protection

Dec 26: CMA CGM to resume shipments through the Red Sea. An MSC vessel is assaulted in the Red Sea

Dec 31: Maersk Hangzhou hit by an unknown object near Yemen. Four Houthi boats approach the vessels, the rebels open fire and attempt to board the vessel but are repelled. Maersk suspends Red Sea sailings till a decision to be made on Tuesday (Jan 2)

2024

Jan 2: Maersk announces no sailing through the Red Sea until further notice, as it assesses the situation