It comes following a string of missile and drone attacks claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The group has vowed to target ships in an attempt to pressure Israel to stop bombing the Gaza Strip.
Two of the world’s biggest shipping firms have suspended all journeys through the Red Sea following a surge of recent attacks on vessels.
Danish giant Maersk said it would “pause” all container shipments until further notice after a near-miss involving its Maersk Gibraltar ship on Thursday.
Meanwhile German firm Hapag-Lloyd said it was also halting sailings until at least Monday after one of its ships was targeted on Friday. A spokesperson added: “Then we will decide for the period thereafter.”
It comes following a string of attacks claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Bab al Mandeb Strait, at the southern end of the Red Sea.
The group has vowed to target vessels which it believes are heading to and from Israel in an attempt to put pressure on the country to stop bombing the Gaza Strip.
The incidents have raised fears that global supply chains could be severely disrupted if the attacks continue. The narrow, busy waterway is a key maritime trade route for ships heading to and from the Suez Canal.
At least two cargo ships were hit on Friday – the MSC Palatium III and the Al Jasrah – with the Houthis again claiming responsibility.
Rebel spokesperson Brigadier Yahya Saree said: “The Yemeni armed forces confirm they will continue to prevent all ships heading to Israeli ports from navigating in the [Red Sea] until they bring in the food and medicine that our steadfast brothers in the Gaza Strip need.”
A spokesperson for Maersk said: “Following the near-miss incident involving Maersk Gibraltar yesterday and yet another attack on a container vessel today, we have instructed all Maersk vessels in the area bound to pass through the Bab el Mandeb Strait to pause their journey until further notice.”
Earlier this week, the Norwegian-owned MT Strinda tanker caught fire after it was also hit by a missile off the coast of Yemen.
Shipping firm Mowinckel said the vessel was carrying biofuel from Malaysia to Italy, but later disclosed it had also been “tentatively” scheduled to make a stop at the Israeli port of Ashdod.
On Wednesday the US Navy said it shot down a suspected Houthi drone which was heading towards one of its warships.
It came as commercial vessel Ardmore Encounter was attacked by small boats and then by two missiles.
In November, the Houthis also seized a cargo ship allegedly linked to Israel in the Red Sea which they are still holding near the port city of Hodeida.
Control of Yemen is split between Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed government forces, with British military support. The country has been locked in a devastating civil war in recent years although a tentative truce is currently in place.
Last weekend Israel’s national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi called on its Western allies to do more to tackle the attacks – and warned his country would “act to remove this blockade” if they continued.
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