Maersk, a renowned Danish shipping company, has recently made a significant announcement regarding a temporary delay in the transit of its ships through the Red Sea. This decision comes as a response to an unfortunate incident involving one of their merchant vessels, the Maersk Hangzhou. The ship was attacked by Houthi fighters who are known to have Iranian backing and operate from Yemen. Consequently, the United States military swiftly intervened upon receiving distress calls from the vessel. In order to neutralize the threat, they sank three boats that were operated by the Houthi fighters, which tragically resulted in casualties. It is important to note that this attack took place after the Maersk Hangzhou had successfully passed through the Bab al-Mandab Strait while en route from Singapore to Port Suez. Maersk has informed us that all the crew members are accounted for and unharmed. However, they need some time to thoroughly examine the incident and evaluate the current security conditions. This choice comes after Maersk's recent announcement of restarting shipments in the Red Sea subsequent to the formation of a fresh military coalition led by the United States, with the aim of protecting this region.


This incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the region, with Houthi attacks prompting major companies, including BP, to suspend operations in the Red Sea. The Suez Canal, a critical global shipping lane connecting the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, handles 10-15% of global trade and 30% of container trade. The attack on the Maersk Hangzhou prompted Maersk to temporarily halt transits through the area, impacting global trade routes.

The attack on the Maersk Hangzhou involved an initial impact from an unknown object, followed by an attempt by four boats to board the vessel. The ship's security team, aided by a nearby navy vessel's helicopter, successfully repelled the boarding attempt. This marked the first instance of the United States taking direct action against the Iranian-backed Houthi group amid the Yemeni civil war. The US had previously avoided direct strikes in Yemen but emphasized its commitment to acting in self-defense. The incident also comes in the context of the US deploying warships and launching Operation Prosperity Guardian to enhance security in the Red Sea, a critical response to disruptions in global shipping caused by Houthi attacks. Other shipping lines, such as Hapag-Lloyd, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, and Evergreen, continue to reroute vessels around Africa in response to the volatile situation in the Red Sea.