A.P. Moller-Maersk, one of the world’s largest shipping companies, has announced that the disruptions to its container shipping via the Red Sea have spread to its entire ocean network due to Yemen’s ongoing attacks on Israel-bound vessels.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Maersk said that the cascading impact of the disruptions has caused congestion at alternative routes and transshipment hubs essential for trade with Far East Asia, West Central Asia, and Europe.
The Yemeni forces have been targeting Israeli ships or those heading towards the ports of the occupied Palestinian territories since October 19 last year, in response to Israel’s military operations in the Gaza Strip. The attacks have pushed several vessels passing through the Suez Canal and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait to take a longer route around South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, causing significant delays.
Yemen has vowed to continue its strikes as long as Israel sustains its military campaign in Gaza. The country has also imposed a blockade on the port of Eilat, leading to its declaration of bankruptcy and a surge in shipping prices.
The United States and Britain began conducting airstrikes against Yemen in January to deter the country from targeting Israeli ships. Despite these efforts, Yemeni forces have continued their operations, using increasingly advanced weapons to attack Israeli, US, and UK vessels in and around the Red Sea.
Maersk’s announcement highlights the global impact of the Yemen conflict on international trade and commerce. The company’s statement underscores the need for a resolution to the conflict and a return to normalcy in maritime trade.
