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Danish shipping titan Maersk has temporarily ceased its Red Sea operations due to recent hostilities from the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Following a Sunday assault on the Maersk Hangzhou, the company issued an advisory on Tuesday announcing the suspension of transit through the Red Sea and the redirection of its vessels via Africa and the Cape of Good Hope.

The attack prompted a swift US military response to the Maersk Hangzhou’s distress signal, resulting in the elimination of three Houthi vessels and the reported loss of ten lives, according to Houthi representatives.
Maersk is currently conducting an investigation into the incident. This isn’t the first pause for Maersk; it had previously halted Red Sea transits in December after escalating attacks by the Houthis, who have been targeting the vital trade route connecting Europe and Asia.
This comes after Maersk and CMA CGM Group had cautiously resumed operations in late December before this recent escalation. The US has established a maritime task force to counter the Houthi threat, yet the rebel group remains resolute in its attacks, claiming they target Israel-affiliated vessels in support of the Palestinian cause amidst ongoing conflicts with Hamas in Gaza.
The repercussions of these attacks are far-reaching, with several leading shipping and oil companies, including BP, ceasing their transits through the Red Sea. This strategic corridor’s closure is anticipated to strain the global economy further, as rerouting adds significant travel time and costs for shipping companies.