Maersk to Resume Vessel Transit Through Red Sea Amid Ongoing Houthi Threat

Maersk to Resume Shipping Route Through Red Sea Despite Ongoing Houthi Threat

December 25, 2023 TruthUSA

Maersk’s decision comes after the United States announced a security initiative to patrol the region and ensure safety of vessels.

Danish shipping giant Maersk said it intends to resume shipping through the Red Sea region after earlier canceling it due to security concerns related to Houthi attacks.

In mid-December, Maersk suspended shipments through the Red Sea following drone and missile attacks on ships in the region. On Sunday, the company announced it would be resuming operations through the route. “We have received confirmation that the previously announced multi-national security initiative Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG) has now been set up and deployed to allow maritime commerce to pass through the Red Sea / Gulf of Aden and once again return to using the Suez Canal as a gateway between Asia and Europe,” the company said in a Dec. 24 update.

“With the OPG initiative in operation, we are preparing to allow for vessels to resume transit through the Red Sea both eastbound and westbound. We are currently working on plans for the first vessels to make the transit and for this to happen as soon as operationally possible.”

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced the OPG initiative last week to “jointly address security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden,” and to ensure freedom of navigation in the region.

Over 20 nations have signed up to the coalition, including France, Italy, Canada, the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, Bahrain, and Seychelles.

The OPG initiative came into existence after Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen began attacking merchant vessels traversing the Red Sea, citing retaliation for Israel’s operations in Palestine. According to the U.S. Central Command, the Houthis have attacked 15 commercial shipping vessels since Oct. 17.