In a statement released on Sunday, the Danish shipping firm Maersk (Maersk. CO) stated that it is getting ready to restart its activities in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The company cited the deployment of a military operation under American command intended to ensure the security of regional commercial activity.
Because of the attacks launched against its ships, the shipping giant decided to stop transporting boats via the Bab el-Mandeb strait earlier in December. Because of this, the Suez Canal, which is essential to international trade, was rendered useless for most routes.
Iran-backed Yemeni militants have been shooting drones and missiles at foreign boats since last month in what they believe is a reaction to Israel’s assault in Gaza, according to the United States, which said on Tuesday that it was starting a multinational operation to defend business in the Red Sea from these terrorists.
“As of Sunday, December 24, 2023, we have received confirmation that the previously announced multinational security initiative Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG) has now been set up and deployed to allow maritime commerce to pass through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and once again return to using the Suez Canal as a gateway between Asia and Europe,” Masersk stated in a statement released on Sunday.
“With the OPG initiative in operation, we are preparing to allow for vessels to resume transit through the Red Sea both eastbound and westbound.”
Maersk has stated that it will provide further information in the coming days. The statement, however, indicated that it may once again resort to diverting ship traffic, depending on how the safety situation develops.
Maersk said on Tuesday that it will be rerouting ships across Africa to use the Cape of Good Hope. To compensate for the additional expenses of the more extended voyage, it announced that it would apply container fees to shipments from Asia.
In recent weeks, several other companies, including the oil behemoth BP (BP.L), have ceased their operations in the Red Sea due to reservations about safety.
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