Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk stop voyages through the Red Sea
The Houthi rebels, who are allied with Iran, are targeting international cargo ships in the Red Sea. Due to the tense security situation, freighters from the shipping companies Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk are no longer heading for the sea area for the time being.
Following the recent attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea, the Danish shipping giant Maersk and the German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd are suspending their container voyages through the Red Sea. They are deeply concerned about the escalated security situation in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, Maersk announced on request. The latest attacks are alarming and pose a significant threat to the safety of seafarers. Hapag-Lloyd spoke of a temporary measure until Monday. The situation will then be reassessed.
Following a near-hit on the "Maersk Gibraltar" on Thursday and another attack on a container ship today, all Maersk ships in the area that were due to sail through the Bab al-Mandab strait have been called upon to suspend their voyages until further notice, the Danish company explained. The situation will continue to be monitored closely. It is striving to ensure the best possible stability of customers' supply chains and is taking measures to minimize the impact on customers.
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are threatening to prevent ships of any nationality from passing through the Red Sea on their way to Israel. Only freighters delivering aid to the Gaza Strip would be granted passage. Several ships have been attacked since then, most recently a container freighter belonging to the German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd. The "Al Jasrah" was damaged in the attack in the strait between Yemen and Djibouti, but there were no casualties, said a spokesperson for the Hamburg-based shipping company.
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemned the attacks on cargo ships. "The Houthi attacks on civilian merchant ships in the Red Sea must stop immediately," demanded the Green politician during a visit to Berlin by Lebanon's acting Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib. The attacks also underlined "that the security threat to Israel comes not only from Hamas in Gaza, but also from the Houthis". They threatened international shipping and the freedom of trade routes.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait lies between the east coast of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula and connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. The strait is part of the Suez Canal route and one of the most important shipping routes in the world.
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In response to the escalating tensions and targeted attacks on cargo ships by the Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, Moeller-Maersk, a Danish shipping giant, and Hapag-Lloyd, a German shipping company, have temporarily suspended their container voyages through the Red Sea. These actions were taken due to concerns about the safety of their seafarers and the instability of the security situation in the region.
Source: www.ntv.de
