According to Reuters on December 24, Denmark's Maersk Line said on the 24th that the company is preparing to resume its shipping operations in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, citing the deployment of a US-led escort military operation.
The shipping giant suspended the route of its ships through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait earlier this month due to attacks on ships. This makes the Suez Canal – a major choke point in the world** – unusable for most shipping routes.
The United States previously said it would launch a joint escort operation to protect navigation in the Red Sea from Iranian-backed Yemeni militants. Yemeni militants have been firing drones and missiles at international ships since last month, saying they are a response to Israel's war in Gaza.
"As of December 24, 2023, we have confirmed that the previously announced multinational security initiative Operation Prosperity Guardian has been formed and deployed, allowing the passage of the sea through the Red Sea Gulf of Aden, and the reactivation of the Suez Canal as a gateway between Asia and Europe," Maersk said in a statement. ”
"With the implementation of Operation Prosperity Guardian, we are preparing to allow ships from both east and west directions to resume navigation through the Red Sea," Maersk said. ”
Maersk said it would announce more details in the coming days. However, depending on the change in the security situation, it may also take measures to change the route again.
Maersk said on Tuesday that it would change the course of its ships and circumnavigate Africa via the Cape of Good Hope. It also said it would impose a container surcharge on goods originating from Asia to compensate for the additional costs caused by longer shipping routes.
In recent weeks, several other airlines have also suspended routes through the Red Sea due to safety concerns. (Compiled by Julie).