After Huthi attack - Shipping company Maersk suspends voyages in the Red Sea
Following two attacks on a container ship belonging to the Danish shipping company Maersk Line in the Red Sea, the company has suspended sailings through the affected area. All transits were to be suspended for 48 hours in order to investigate the incident and assess the security situation, the company told Deutsche Presse-Agentur.
Maersk confirmed that the ship "Maersk Hangzhou" was hit by an object on Saturday evening after it had passed the Bab al-Mandab strait heading north. However, the ship was initially able to continue on its course. However, four boats later approached the ship, opened fire and attempted to board the cargo ship. The attack was successfully repelled with the help of a military helicopter and the ship's security team, the statement continued. The crew is reportedly safe, the company emphasized.
The US military had also previously reported the incident and blamed pro-Iranian Huthi rebels in Yemen for the attack. US helicopters had sunk three of the four attacking boats, according to a statement from the responsible US regional command on the X platform, formerly Twitter. Their crews had been killed. The fourth boat escaped. There was no damage or casualties on the US side.
David Cameron: Iran should help prevent Houthi attacks
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron believes Iran has a duty to help stop the attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. He made this clear in a conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hussein Amirabdollahian, Cameron wrote on the short message service X (formerly Twitter). The background to this was that Iran had been supporting the Houthis for a long time.
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are allied with Iran, have repeatedly attacked Israel with drones and missiles. Most recently, they have also repeatedly attacked ships in the Red Sea - one of the most important shipping routes for global trade, which connects the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal in Egypt.
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- The Red Sea, known for its important shipping route, has seen two attacks on a Maersk Line container ship, causing the shipping company to suspend sailings.
- Maersk, a prominent Danish shipping company, operates under the mærsk brand and has a significant presence in global trade, with the 'Maersk Hangzhou' being one of its vessels.
- The 'Maersk Hangzhou' encountered an object in the Red Sea near the Bab al-Mandab strait, but managed to continue its journey initially, only to be targeted later by four boats fired upon by the Huthi rebels.
- The Bab al-Mandab strait, a crucial waterway connecting the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean, has been a site of repeated attacks by the Huthi rebels, who have also launched drones and missiles towards Israel.
- The US military condemned the Houthi attacks against the 'Maersk Hangzhou', attributing the incident to the pro-Iranian rebels based in Yemen.
- David Cameron, the British Foreign Secretary, urged Iran to take responsibility and act against the Houthi attacks, emphasizing their historical support for the Yemeni rebels.
- The global trade community has expressed concern over the Red Sea conflicts, as ships passing through the region, including container ships like the 'Maersk Hangzhou', are vital in transporting goods from various parts of the world.
- The Houthi rebels, whose actions have led to multiple conflicts, are known for using drones and missiles, causing significant disruptions in global trade.
- The attacks on the container ship resulted in suspension of sailings for 48 hours, allowing the shipping company to evaluate the situation and ensure the safety of its vessels and crew members.
- The incident brought attention to the increasing tensions in the Red Sea and the risk it poses to international shipping companies, such as Maersk Line.
- Responding to conflicts and aiming to protect its ships, Maersk and other shipping companies have activated various security measures, continuously monitoring the situation to ensure smooth operation and minimize losses.
Source: www.stern.de
