The Red Sea crisis continues to wreak havoc on shipping lines and an obvious concern in the maritime logistics sector. The attacks by the Houthis on vessels while they were shipping goods to different destinations has forced transport companies to establish changes in their routes and strengthen their cargo insurance in the face of a scenario that at the moment does not seem to offer a viable way out.
The current situation has led companies to take the decision to avoid the route between Asia and Europe, which previously received about 12% of the world’s maritime traffic, including vessels from Japan.
Japan suspends shipping until crisis resolution.
Japan has perhaps been the country that has adopted the most forceful measures with its shipping companies in the face of the Red Sea crisis, suspending the shipment of its cargoes until the logistics sector and the international community can find a solution to this problem, which has already cost economic losses and damage to the physical integrity of the carriers.
Among the companies that have already joined Japan’s support are Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, in a statement from their respective spokespersons. On the other hand, Houthi terrorists justify past attacks on boats as an “act of solidarity” with the people of Gaza, claims that have been taken as questionable or irrelevant by the logistics community and the general public.
The response of the United States and the United Kingdom
The close relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom has been noted after the attack of the shipping companies, deploying a joint offensive that has involved bombing 12 Houthi positions located in Yemen as a forceful response. A military spokesman belonging to the rebel movement, classified as terrorist by the international community, confirmed this action and commented that “This aggression will not go unanswered. All U.S. and British interests have become legitimate targets of the Yemeni armed forces following the direct and declared aggression against the Republic of Yemen.”
In relation to this retaliation, nations such as Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States, have provided the following statements:
“Today’s actions demonstrate a shared commitment to freedom of navigation, international trade and defending seafarers’ lives in the face of unlawful and unjustifiable attacks.”
Adding more weight to these statements, the current US president, Joe Biden, says that these attacks on Houthi stations in Yemen are part of a series of defensive actions in the face of unprecedented events that occurred a few weeks ago, referring to the downing of the vessels, among which were some of US companies.
The conflict between Yemen and the United States, along with its allied countries, promises to bring more complexity to the situation faced by shipping companies. Transporting goods in the Red Sea has become a task that risks the lives of carriers, who are threatened by new possible attacks as a sign of this so-called “solidarity” on the part of the Houthis.
Sources:
Las tres mayores navieras japonesas suspenden sus envíos por el Mar Rojo. El Economista
Crisis en el Mar Rojo escala con bombardeos de EEUU y Reino Unido a Yemen. Semanario Universidad
Las tres mayores navieras japonesas suspenden sus pasos por el mar Rojo. France 24
