US and British militaries say they've shot down 15 attack drones over the Red Sea as more major shipping firms suspend passage through a corridor vital for global trade.
Houthi rebels in Yemen have launched a series of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, and have launched drones and missiles targeting Israel as theIsrael-Hamas warthreatens to spread.
15 drones downed
US Central Command said the destroyer USS Carney "successfully engaged 14 unmanned aerial systems" launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
The drones "were shot down with no damage to ships in the area or reported injuries," Central Command tweeted.
UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said HMS Diamond fired a Sea Viper missile and destroyed a drone that was "targeting merchant shipping".
The overnight action is the first time the Royal Navy has shot down an aerial target in anger since the 1991 Gulf War.
Mr Shapps said attacks on commercial ships in the global trade artery by Yemen's Houthi rebels "represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security".
"The UK remains committed to repelling these attacks to protect the free flow of global trade," he said in a statement.
HMS Diamond was sent to the region two weeks ago as a deterrent, joining vessels from the US, France and other countries.
A month of attacks
In early December the US military said it shot down a drone from Yemen's Houthi group amid four attacks against three separate commercial vessels in the southern Red Sea.
A spokesperson for the Houthi group's military said the two ships were targeted after they rejected warnings, without elaborating.
In a broadcast statement, the spokesperson said the attacks were in response to the demands of the Yemeni people and calls from Islamic nations to stand with the Palestinian people.
Since then, a series of attacks have occurred.
Global shipping becomes a target
As a result of the attacks, several major global shipping companies have suspended passage through the Red Sea.
On Friday, two of the world's largest shipping companies, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, called off passage through the sea until further notice.
"Following thenear-miss incident involving Maersk Gibraltar yesterdayand yet another attack on a container vessel today, we have instructed all Maersk vessels in the area bound to pass through the Bab al-Mandab Strait to pause their journey until further notice," the company said in a statement.
Maersk on Thursday said its vessel Maersk Gibraltar was targeted by a missile while travelling from Salalah, Oman, to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and that the crew and vessel were reported safe.
On Saturday, French Container Shipping company CMA CGM and the Mediterranean Shipping Company followed suit.
"The CMA CGM Group is deeply concerned about the recent attacks on commercial vessels unfolding in the Red Sea Region," it said in a statement posted to its website.
"We have been taking over the past days increasing prevention measures to ensure the safety of our vessels and their crews navigating these waters.
"The situation is further deteriorating and concern of safety is increasing."
MSC, one of the world's largest freight shipping lines, said one of its container vessels had been targeted in the Red Sea on Friday and it was halting traffic through the strait until it was safe.
These companies ship food, clothing, chemicals and pharmaceuticals as well as industrial machinery and refrigerated and oversized goods.
The importance of the Red Sea
The Red Sea is one of the most travelled waterways in the world, connecting to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal.
According to AP, about 10 per cent of the world's trade passes through the Red Sea.
A huge amount of Europe's energy supplies as well as food come through the waterway.
However, the global oil market has shrugged off the most recent attacks.
Prices have fallen and the market is more worried about weak demand in major economies.
Negative effects on trade
The Australian Peak Shippers Association and Freight and Trade Alliance have released a statement about the implications for Australia the suspension of shipping in the Red Sea will have.
"Although this predominantly affects ships serving the Asia to North Europe and Mediterranean routes, recent experience has shown there will be serious impacts in other regions if the situation escalates or lasts for a prolonged period," it read.
FTA Director Paul Zalai drew comparisons to March 2021 when a ship ran aground in the Suez Canal.
"The impact of the waterway closure for 6 days threw vessel schedules internationally into disarray — this may fade into insignificance compared to the current conditions that are likely to continue for a significant period with other shipping lines likely to follow, understandably not wanting to endanger the lives of seafarers, the safety of vessels and the cargoes they carry," he said.
"We are likely to know more in coming days — should marine insurers withdraw policies for ships passing through the area or declare the Red Sea a 'war zone', shipping lines will be commercially left with little option but to abandon this key waterway."
He said diversions could add 10 days to transit times and estimated arrival dates in North Europe and Mediterranean ports.
"We can expect that shipping lines will recover these costs through additional surcharges and cargoes."
In an Australian context, Mr Zalai suggests any prolonged closure will add to the costs of goods, already under pressure from the effects of wider inflation, especially if it flows to the supply of oil and natural gas.
According to Vessel Protect, which assesses war risks at sea and provides insurance, the single biggest immediate impact of the Houthi escalation has been increased insurance costs.
Consultancy S&P Global estimated that the detour would increase the distance between Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Singapore by 40 per cent.
Houthis vow to continue strikes
The Iran-aligned Houthis of Yemen are playing an escalating role in the conflict in the Middle East in a campaign they say aims to support Palestinians in the Gaza war.
The group, which controls most of Yemen's Red Sea coast, had previously fired ballistic missiles and armed drones at Israel and vowed to target more Israeli vessels.
Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdel-Salam said on Saturday that the rebels had engaged in "communications and discussions" with international parties, brokered by Oman, on the Houthis' attacks on ships in the Red and Arabian seas.
He tweeted that the Houthis would continue targeting Israel-linked vessels "until the aggression stops" and the siege of Gaza is lifted.
He added that "any genuine steps responding to the humanitarian situation in Palestine and Gaza through bringing in food and medicine would contribute to reducing the escalation".
ABC/AP
Posted, updated
I'm a seasoned expert in global geopolitics, military affairs, and maritime security, having extensively studied and analyzed international conflicts, military strategies, and geopolitical trends. My knowledge spans historical events, contemporary developments, and the intricate dynamics of nations and non-state actors.
Now, diving into the provided information regarding the recent events in the Red Sea:
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Houthi Attacks and Drone Shootdowns:
- The US and British militaries have reported the successful interception of 15 attack drones over the Red Sea.
- Houthi rebels in Yemen, controlling areas around the Red Sea, have been launching attacks on vessels, posing a threat to one of the busiest shipping routes globally.
- The US Central Command and the UK's HMS Diamond actively engaged and destroyed multiple unmanned aerial systems launched by the Houthi rebels.
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International Response and Naval Actions:
- The UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps emphasized that attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea by Houthi rebels directly threaten international commerce and maritime security.
- The Royal Navy's HMS Diamond, deployed as a deterrent, participated in the defensive actions, marking the first time the Royal Navy has shot down an aerial target in hostility since the 1991 Gulf War.
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Global Shipping Impact:
- Several major global shipping companies, including Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM, and MSC, have suspended passage through the Red Sea due to the escalating attacks.
- The Red Sea is a vital waterway, with approximately 10% of the world's trade passing through it, connecting to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal.
- The suspension of shipping in the Red Sea has raised concerns about potential negative effects on global trade, with comparisons drawn to the Suez Canal closure in March 2021.
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Economic and Trade Ramifications:
- The Australian Peak Shippers Association and Freight and Trade Alliance expressed concerns about the implications for Australia due to the suspension of shipping in the Red Sea.
- The potential prolongation of the situation could lead to increased costs of goods, potential supply chain disruptions, and additional surcharges imposed by shipping lines.
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Houthi Objectives and Regional Dynamics:
- The Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran, are escalating their role in the Middle East conflict, citing support for Palestinians in the Gaza war.
- The group controls most of Yemen's Red Sea coast and has previously targeted Israel with ballistic missiles and armed drones.
- The Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks on Israel-linked vessels until perceived aggressions cease, tying their actions to the lifting of the siege of Gaza.
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Insurance Costs and Shipping Route Changes:
- The Houthi escalation has led to increased insurance costs for vessels operating in the region.
- Consultancy S&P Global estimates that the detour caused by the conflict could increase the distance between Rotterdam and Singapore by 40%, potentially impacting shipping routes and costs.
In summary, the situation in the Red Sea poses significant challenges to global trade, maritime security, and regional stability, with a complex interplay of military actions, economic repercussions, and geopolitical considerations.
