Shipping firm Maersk says it’s preparing for resumption of Red Sea voyages after attacks from Yemen

Maersk is planning to resume vessel travel through the Red Sea following the establishment of a U.S.-led multinational naval operation, which aims to protect shipping from Houthi rebel attacks in Yemen.

Houthi attacks have severely disrupted shipping through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, impacting key trade routes for commodities like oil, natural gas, grain, and consumer goods between Europe and Asia.

Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG) is a multi-national security initiative set up and deployed to ensure the safe passage of maritime commerce through the Red Sea-Gulf of Aden, enabling the use of the Suez Canal as a gateway between Asia and Europe.

Major shipping companies, including Maersk, have been rerouting their ships around Africa and the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the Red Sea, leading to extended voyage times and increased fuel and insurance costs.

Recently, a U.S. warship intercepted four drones originating from Houthi-controlled areas, and there were reports of a near-miss drone attack on a Norwegian-flagged tanker and a hit on an India-flagged tanker, with no injuries reported. These incidents are part of a series of attacks by Houthis on commercial shipping.