Houthi attack on MSC vessel adds pressure to Red Sea service revival
Following Maersk’s suit, CMA CGM has announced plans to gradually reinstate services via the Suez Canal, while a large Cosco boxship has been tracked turning course toward the Red Sea
The armed group fired missiles at the 8,200 teu containership but appears to have missed it. MSC stated all crew were safe and it ‘will continue to reroute vessels booked for Suez transit via the Cape of Good Hope’
THE latest attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on an Mediterranean Shipping Co may add pressure on carriers trying to resume Red Sea transits.
Following Maersk’s move, France’s CMA CGM has also announced plans to gradually reinstate services via the Suez Canal, while a large Cosco Shipping containership has been tracked turning course toward the passage as well.
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed the group fired missiles at the 8,200 teu MSC United VIII (IMO: 9302619) on Tuesday after repeated warnings were ignored by the crew, but did not specify if it was hit.
The attack occurred while the ship was sailing from King Abdullah port, Saudi Arabia to Karachi, Pakistan, under escort by a coalition task force warship.
MSC later confirmed the incident, stating all crew were safe and that it “will continue to reroute vessels booked for Suez transit via the Cape of Good Hope”.
According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence data, the vessel has continued sailing toward the Bab el Mandeb Strait connecting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
It is unclear how the attack could affect some carriers’ efforts to partially restore Red Sea routes. The same day, CMA CGM said it was planning to increase Suez Canal transits.
“We are monitoring the situation constantly and we stand ready to promptly reassess and adjust our plans as needed.”
Some of its ships have transited the Red Sea under French naval escort, although more vessels continue to avoid the Suez Canal by taking the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope.
Maersk announced a similar plan on December 24, supported by the multinational Operation Prosperity Guardian. However, the Danish giant stressed it will reinstate diversion protocols if the safety of its seafarers is deemed compromised.
Industry sources said Maersk’s first batch to reinstate Red Sea transits consists of 10 ships.
According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence data, two Maersk ships located in the Mediterranean and Arabian Sea respectively, the 18,270 teu Maren Maersk (IMO: 9632129) and 18,000 teu Mette Maersk (IMO: 9632155), are both headed for the Suez Canal, with arrival dates signalled as December 28 and January 2.
Meanwhile, the 14,500 teu Cosco Shipping Kilimanjaro (IMO: 9757852), about 450 nm west of Seychelles in Indian Ocean, also seems headed for the Red Sea after a second course change on December 26. The ship’s AIS destination is set for Saudi Arabia’s port of Jeddah.
Its first diversion occurred on December 20, when the ship turned south toward Africa instead of the Suez Canal.
Other lines continue to stand by their decisions to withdraw from the region. Evergreen said in a Tuesday statement it has suspended bookings for cargo due to transit the Bab el Mandeb Strait en route to the Red Sea.
