Leading global shipping lines Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd today announced they are pausing all transits through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Manhab Strait while the International Chamber of Shipping called for immediate action to stop attacks that are “a flagrant breach of international law.”

Recent recent escalation has seen a missile land close to a Maersk containership yesterday and a confirmed strike on a Hapag vessel today close to the coast of Yemen along with two MSC containerships targeted by the Yemen-based Houthi rebels with one possibly struck.

“We have instructed all Maersk vessels in the area bound to pass through the Bab al-Mandab Strait to pause their journeys until further notice,” Maersk said, adding that the attacks pose a significant threat to the safety and security of seafarers.

Maersk had previously rerouted two of its vessels owned by XT Shipping, which is based in Haifa, Israel.

Hapag-Lloyd said it “will take additional measures to secure the safety of our crews. Hapag-Lloyd is pausing all container ship traffic through the Red Sea until Monday (December 18). Then we will decide for the period thereafter.”

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) pointed out that “some companies have already rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope,” adding cost and delays to global trade.

The Bahamas flagged Galaxy Leader, operated by NYK, and owned by British Company Ray Car Carriers was seized by Houthi forces on November 19. Subsequently there has been an increasing number of attacks against merchant ships.

The Red Sea is a crucial waterway, linking Europe and Asia. Currently 12% of global trade passes through the Red Sea.

ICS lauds the actions and presence of naval forces so far in intervening against the aggressors and hopes and expects further commitments of the same nature in the very near future. Furthermore, the full maritime security architecture in the region should be brought to bear to end these attacks and protect our seafarers and merchant shipping.

Industry will continue to provide guidance to shipowners and operators, and work with military powers in the region to mitigate the threat to shipping presented by the Houthis, ICS stated.

(Photo released by Houthi Military Media of attack on Galaxy Leader)