Arabian Peninsula: Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd pause Red Sea transits Dec. 15 due to attacks against vessels /update 4

Shipping companies Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have announced the temporary halt of all transits through the Red Sea on Dec. 15 due to the increased threat posed by Al-Houthi rebels and following several attacks against shipping in the region. The two companies combined account for over 22 percent of all maritime trade. The decision means that the companies' vessels must either wait for the security situation to improve or sail around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa to reach their destinations. Additional companies may also halt operations in the Red Sea in the near term.

Further maritime incidents and heightened tensions are likely in the waters around the Arabian Peninsula through at least early January. The Al-Houthi rebels continue to target maritime assets affiliated with Israel in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, including vessels sailing to or from Israeli ports, in solidarity with Hamas amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Although none have been struck, US warships have possibly also been targeted by drones and missiles launched from Al-Houthi-controlled territory. Iran, too, is suspected of likely targeting an Israel-linked vessel in recent weeks.

Attacks are typically preceded by an entity claiming to be the Yemeni Navy hailing the vessel on Channel 16 VHF in an attempt to divert the vessel towards Yemen. Individuals may also attempt to board the vessel from skiffs or fast boats, and exchanges of fire with ships' armed security teams have been reported.

As of Dec. 15, the following incidents have been reported:

• Dec. 15: The cargo vessel MSC Al Jasrah was struck by a projectile launched from Al-Houthi-controlled territory, causing a fire on the vessel’s deck. A later attempt to target Al Jasrah reportedly struck the nearby MSC Palatium III, with a third projectile missing both vessels. It remains unclear whether there are any casualties among the crew of either vessel. Houthi officials also claimed an attack on MSC Alanya, a claim denied by MSC.

• Dec. 14: Al-Houthi forces targeted cargo vessel Maersk Gibraltar with a ballistic missile in the Bab el-Mandab Strait. The missile exploded a short distance away from the vessel, causing no damage or casualties. Following the attack, an entity claiming to be the Yemeni Navy hailed the vessel in a failed attempt to divert the vessel to Yemen. An Al-Houthi spokesperson later claimed that Maersk Gibraltar had been targeted as it was sailing to Israel, and that a successful drone strike had been carried out. The claim was denied by Maersk. In a separate incident, cargo vessel Ruen was boarded by unknown assailants 700 NM east of Bossaso, Somalia. The incident has been classified as a hijacking, with the vessel appearing to be sailing for Somalia. The crew are reportedly safe and are possibly sheltering within the vessel’s citadel. It remains unclear whether this incident is related to Al-Houthi or Iranian action.

• Dec. 13: US officials stated that Al-Houthi rebels launched two missiles at the tanker Ardmore Encounter near the Bab el-Mandab Strait, with neither missile striking the vessel. The incident came following an exchange of fire between the tanker’s armed security team and a number of individuals aboard a skiff. Individuals claiming to be the Yemeni Navy hailed the vessel and instructed it to divert to a Yemeni port following the exchange of fire and prior to the missile attack. US Navy destroyer USS Mason shot down one drone during the incident. No casualties were reported.

• Dec. 12: US officials report that a missile launched from Al-Houthi-controlled territory struck the Norwegian-owned chemical tanker M/T Strinda near the Bab el-Mandab Strait. The attack caused a fire on board but did not result in any casualties.

• Dec. 3: US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that at least three vessels in the southern Red Sea had been targeted and struck by missiles, including at least one anti-ship ballistic missile. US destroyer USS Carney provided support to the three vessels and shot down a number of drones heading in its direction over the course of the day. None of the vessels struck reported any casualties.

• Nov. 26-27: CENTCOM announced that at least five armed individuals had boarded the tanker Central Park in the Gulf of Aden. The USS Mason responded along with an unidentified Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force warship, causing the individuals to flee. Mason pursued and arrested the individuals. Authorities have not confirmed the identity of those arrested. Following the incident, two ballistic missiles were launched from Al-Houthi-controlled territory in the direction of the vessels, impacting approximately 10 NM (19 km, 12 miles) away. No casualties or damage were reported.

• Nov. 24: An Israeli-owned cargo vessel, the CMA CGM Symi, was targeted by a suspected Iranian Shahed-136 weaponized drone in the northern Arabian Sea. The vessel suffered damage; no casualties were reported.

• Nov. 19: The Al-Houthis hijacked the Galaxy Leader vehicle carrier vessel in the Red Sea, bringing the vessel to Al-Hudaydah, where it remains. The ship was likely targeted due to its alleged ownership by an Israeli businessman. No casualties were reported during the hijacking.

In addition, a number of weaponized drones and ballistic and cruise missiles have been intercepted in the Red Sea region by US, Israeli, and Saudi Arabian air defenses. Impacts have been reported in Egypt and Jordan. Electronic interference, drone sightings, and instructions from individuals claiming to be Yemeni authorities have also been reported throughout the region in recent weeks.

A heightened naval presence is likely in the region as the conflict between Hamas and Israel continues to escalate. Further attacks are possible across the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and northern Arabian Sea in the coming days and weeks. Maritime disruptions are likely to occur.