Since Iranian-backed rebels from Yemen started attacking merchant ships south of the Suez Canal after hijacking a roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) vessel on November 19 and taking its crew of 25 seafarers hostage, 40 vessels have been targeted by Houthi jihadists, mainly in the Red Sea.
In the latest attack, two Maersk container carriers baring the US flag drew fire from members of the Shia Islamist Ansar Allah militia.
The Combined Maritime Force (CMF), headed up by US and UK navies, has retaliated with strikes on military and supportive installations in Yemen, but the country’s coastline of 2,200 kilometres seems too long for 22 CMF vessels to patrol.
Both the Chesapeake and Detroit were forced to turn around after rebels fired three anti-ship missiles at them.
The US Navy escorted the vessels to the Gulf of Aden following the incident.
In the meantime the Galaxy Leader, the ro-ro that was taken by Houthis, rappelling from helicopter gunships onto the carrier’s deck, remain detained at Yemen’s Red Sea Port of Hudaydah.
Its crew consisted of 17 Filipino nationals and 8 members from Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Mexico.
The carrier with about 4 500 vehicles from Turkey was operated by Isle of Man-based Ray Car Carriers, a firm with ownership ties to an Israeli shipping magnate.
The cost for commercial vessels to divert away from the Suez around the Cape of Good Hope has significantly increased due to the crisis in the Red Sea.
As of recent reports, the price increase for container transportation from Asia to Europe has been substantial, with some sources citing a cost of $5,175 for the redirected route.
This has led to a doubling of transportation costs and a significant impact on global shipping traffic.
The longer journey around Africa has also contributed to a 25-30% increase in freight rates.4
Additionally, the price of shipping a container from China to the Mediterranean rose by 44% in December due to the disruptions in the region.
In the past 30 days, 517 container ships have bypassed the Red Sea by rounding the Cape.
