Houthi drone attacks on cargo vessels in Red Sea disrupt global trade

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have conducted a drone attack targeting two cargo vessels in the Red Sea

| Updated: 19 December, 2023 3:51 pm IST
Yemen's Houthi rebels have conducted a drone attack targeting two cargo vessels in the Red Sea.

NEW DELHI: Yemen’s Houthi rebels have conducted a drone attack targeting two cargo vessels in the Red Sea, causing disruptions in maritime trade. The vessels, MSC Clara and Swan Atlantic faced the assaults after their crews failed to respond to the Houthi group’s calls, according to Houthi spokesperson Yahya Sarea. The Swan Atlantic reported damage to its water tank from an unidentified object, but no injuries were reported. The MSC Clara, a Panama-flagged vessel, experienced an unclear attack. The Iran-backed Houthis claim to target ships in the Red Sea with alleged links to Israel in protest against the Israeli military offensive in Gaza, warning against sailing in the area.

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The attacks have raised concerns about the global trade route’s impact, particularly on the passage of oil, grain, and other goods through the Red Sea. Shipping companies are suspending journeys, causing increased costs for insuring and shipping goods in the region. The Swan Atlantic, operated by Uni-Tankers, sustained a small fire, which the crew managed to control, and continued its voyage carrying vegetable oils to Reunion Island.

The attacks are contributing to economic disturbances globally, with about 40 per cent of international trade passing through the narrow strait between Yemen and northeast Africa, leading northwards to the Red Sea, Israel’s southern port facilities, and the Suez Canal. Shipping insurance costs have surged, and oil prices have risen. Oil major BP temporarily halted transit through the Red Sea due to security concerns. Several shipping companies have suspended journeys through the Red Sea, impacting global trade.

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The United States is in talks with other countries to establish a task force for protecting the trade route. Italy is reportedly considering joining a naval coalition to patrol the Red Sea, highlighting the seriousness of the situation and its potential impact on international maritime security and trade routes.

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