Maritime transport companies will resume traffic through the Red Sea

Major shipping companies are preparing to resume operations along the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden route, which is under the control of Yemen’s Houthi politico-religious movement.

This decision was facilitated by a multinational security initiative led by the United States.

The international mission already includes more than 20 countries, but the number could grow as Washington continues to consult with its allies and partners who share the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation.

Denmark’s Maersk halted container ship traffic on the Red Sea route on December 15 but has already said it is preparing to return.

“With this initiative in place, we are preparing to allow ships to resume transit through the Red Sea in both east and westbound directions,” the multinational said in a statement.

However, Maersk noted that security risks in the area in question continue to exist, adding that it would not hesitate to reassess the situation.

In turn, the German company Hapag-Lloyd, which suspended flights at the same time, plans to resume this route on Wednesday.

Explosions were heard and missiles were seen near ships transiting the Red Sea on Tuesday, Britain’s maritime safety agency UKMTO said.

The explosions were heard near Hodeidah, a port in western Yemen, but two ships that passed nearby and their crews were alive, the agency said.

No attacks have been reported, but the Houthis have stepped up attacks in recent weeks near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which separates the Arabian Peninsula from Africa and through which 12% of global trade passes, according to the International Chamber of Shipping. X).

Iran-backed Yemeni rebels have warned that in a show of solidarity with the Gaza Strip they will attack ships with ties to Israel sailing in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen.