Shipping companies reroute ships out of Red Sea over Houthi threats

By Nuri Aydin

Many container companies, including the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), which is the largest in the world, have started rerouting ships out of the Red Sea following increasing threats by the Houthi group.

A statement by MSC said its MSC Palatium ship was attacked while passing through the Red Sea and the situation in the region had become serious.

It said no crew members were killed or injured in the attack and the company instructed its ships in the region to "reach safe areas and suspend their voyages until further notice."

MSC said the cruise routes of ships were replanned via the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa instead of the Red Sea.

The Red Sea is the world's most frequently used sea route for oil and fuel shipments.

Denmark-based shipping companies Maersk, German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd and French shipping company CMA CGM all announced they suspended voyages in the Red Sea after the security situation worsened.

- Houthis target Israeli ships in the Red Sea

The Iran-backed Houthis announced Dec. 12 that they targeted a Norwegian oil ship that did not respond to warnings and went to Israel.

The British Maritime Agency announced that a ship and its crew targeted in the Red Sea were safe.

Abdul-malik al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthis in Yemen, threatened in his television speech Nov. 14 that the group could target Israeli ships in the Red Sea.

Yahya Seri, military spokesman of the Houthis, announced Nov. 19 on X that the group would target any Israeli-flagged ship in response to Israel's attacks on the blockaded Gaza Strip.

Then, the Houthis launched a UAV and missile attack on two Israeli ships -- Unity Explorer and Number Nine in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

Israeli shipping company, ZIM, said in a statement Nov. 29 that its ships would not use the Suez Canal in Egypt, citing the security situation in the Oman Sea and the Red Sea.

On Dec. 4, CENTCOM announced on X that four attacks were carried out on three commercial ships in international waters in the southern Red Sea.

A statement said the US Navy destroyer USS Carney in the southern Red Sea responded to a call for help from commercial ships, and the destroyer shot down three UAVs that were advancing toward it while helping the ships.