Japanese shipper reroute its vessels amid Red Sea attacks

ISTANBUL

The Japanese container conglomerate Ocean Network Express (ONE) announced on Tuesday decided to reroute its vessels away from the Suez Canal and the Red Sea due to safety concerns.

The immediate decision was made following the attacks by the Houthis, a political and military organization in Yemen, who vowed to attack vessels passing through the Red Sea.

ONE said that they would reroute their vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, the southmost point of Africa.

The company added that it will also temporarily pause travel and relocate its vessels and crew to secure locations until further notice.

ONE joined other world-renowned shipping companies who also decided to temporarily pause operations and reroute, such as the Italian and Swiss-owned Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Danish shipper Maersk, German shipper Hapag-Lloyd, and France-based shipper CMA CGM.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have significantly stepped up their involvement in the current conflict in the Gaza Strip by targeting vessels in the southern Red Sea and the group warned about attacking all Israel-bound ships. It said the attacks aim to support Palestinians as they face Israel's "aggression and siege" in Gaza.

The Red Sea is one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.