2023-12-15 20:48:58
[The Epoch Times, December 16, 2023](Comprehensive report by Epoch Times reporter Zhang Ting) Continuous attacks on merchant ships by the Iran-backed Houthi armed group have triggered trade disruptions. Maersk, the world’s second largest container shipping giant, on Friday ( December 15) stated that it would suspend all container ship transportation through the Red Sea; Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd subsequently announced that it would suspend transportation through the area.
Maersk said in a statement, “Following the attempted attack on the Maersk Gibraltar yesterday (December 14) and another attack on a container ship today, we have instructed all upcoming attacks in the region to Maersk ships transiting the Bab el-Mandab Strait are suspended until further notice.”
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a narrow waterway connecting the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Any ship using the Suez Canal as a shortcut between Asia and Europe must pass through here.
The shipping giant said on Thursday that the “Maersk Gibraltar” was attacked by a missile while en route from Salalah, Oman to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Fortunately, the crew and ship were safe.
“We are deeply concerned regarding the highly escalating security situation in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” the company said in a statement on Friday. “Recent attacks on commercial vessels in the region are concerning and pose a threat to the safety and security of crews.” A major threat.”
Shortly following Maersk announced the news, another shipping giant, Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd, announced that it would suspend transportation through the Red Sea until next Monday before deciding on future suspension times.
While it is unclear how long the Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd suspensions will ultimately last, the measures underscore the seriousness and potential economic devastation of the Houthi attack. Maersk has a fleet of more than three hundred ships.
Marco Forgione, director of the Institute of Export and International Trade, said that regarding 12% of global trade relies on the Suez Canal and 5% on the Panama Canal. Panama is beset by a severe drought that has already affected shipping.
“They are vital to the flow of international trade,” Forgione said. “If they do not operate smoothly, the damage and supply chain disruption caused by ships being delayed and anchored in the wrong places will have a huge domino effect.”
Disruptions in the region might disrupt supply chains and world trade. In March 2021, Taiwan’s Evergreen Shipping’s ultra-large container ship “Ever Given” ran aground in the Suez Canal, resulting in long queues of impassable ships at both ends of the waterway. It is estimated that the accident reduced the canal’s capacity by 20% to 30% for several weeks.
Houthi attacks appear to have escalated over the past few days. At least three container ships have been attacked or disrupted near Yemen in the past day or so.
In particular, Maersk’s decision will add new urgency to the U.S. push to create a maritime task force. The force will protect ships crossing the Red Sea from Houthi attacks.
U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters in Israel on Friday that the Biden administration is building an international coalition to counter threats to international shipping lanes in the Red Sea by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
(This article refers to reports from Bloomberg.)
Editor in charge: Lin Yan#
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