US warships defend Maersk Hangzhou from Houthi attack in Babelmandeb Strait

The company’s Maersk Hangzhou, a Singapore-flagged ship, was on its way from Singapore to Port Suez in Egypt when it was hit by a missile fired by the Houthis in the Strait of Babelmandeb. However, it did not cause significant damage and the ship continued its journey.

After that, Houthi fighters who wanted to capture the ship arrived at the ship in four boats. But US warships rushed in, from which helicopters took off, sinking three boats and killing the militants on board, but the fourth boat managed to escape, the US military said.

Taking into account this incident, it is necessary to evaluate the security situation, therefore the company’s ships will not pass through the Babelmandeb strait, which connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, for 48 hours, according to the statement of “Maersk”.

Since the war between Israel and Hamas, the ruling Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip, began on October 7, the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have been attacking this shipping route with missiles and drones, claiming that the cargo being transported is being transported to Israel or that the ships are connected to Israel.

As a result of these attacks, several shipping companies, including Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk, decided to use an alternative route around the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa. This route is about 6,500 kilometers longer and makes transportation more expensive.

On Thursday, “Maersk” announced the resumption of transportation through the Babelmandeb Strait.

2023-12-31 11:51:00
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