Yemen’s Houthi rebels have informed a British supply chain site that they will stop targeting commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea on condition that these ships are not destined for Israel.
The Loadstar reports that statements from the group last week had hinted at renewed threats against vessels bound for the Port of Haifa.
It also didn’t address uncertainty about ships merely passing through the southern Red Sea. Maritime attacks have disrupted vessel traffic since the first Houthi attack on October 19, 2023, in which an entire roll-on roll-off vehicle carrier was hijacked.
Finally, yesterday a spokesperson for the rebel group clarified their position, saying: “Ships transiting the Red Sea without stopping at the port of Haifa will not be targeted.”
Despite this reassurance, the Houthis reiterated their hostile stance towards Israel.
“Haifa remains a target,” a rebel statement said.
The Houthis also reaffirmed their commitment to “taking any further measures in support of the oppressed Palestinian people, who continue to endure daily massacres and a genocide of unprecedented scale, alongside their resolute resistance”.
While this latest announcement may help to ease tensions for commercial shipping, carriers remain cautious and have not yet rushed to re-enter the route. French shipping giant CMA CGM remains the only major global operator to have resumed services through the Suez Canal.
From mid-June, CMA CGM plans to reinstate Suez Canal transit for its Med Express (MEDEX) service, complementing its previously resumed Mediterranean Club Express (MEX) route. Scheduling data indicates that the 16 000 TEU vessel CMA CGM Jules Verne is scheduled to depart on June 21.
It is understood that Danish line Maersk was ready to follow suit but reverted to the longer Cape of Good Hope detour following renewed threats.
Another factor to consider is the long-term impact on market capacity.
“A full return to the Suez route could, after some delay, result in a global overcapacity issue. Nevertheless, once the Red Sea is genuinely safe, carriers will return, regardless of capacity challenges.”
Interestingly, CMA CGM never completely abandoned the Suez Canal during the crisis, The Loadstar reported. Its East Asia-Mediterranean Phoenician Express (BEX2) and the Persian Gulf-Mediterranean Levant Middle East Express (LMX), both operated under the Ocean Alliance, have continued to use the waterway.
