Cargo shipping giant Maersk announced on Tuesday a pause of transits through the Red Sea “until further notice” after one of its container vessels got attacked over the weekend by what the United States identified as Iranian-backed Houthi boats.
In a statement, the Danish company noted trips through the nearby Gulf of Aden would also be suspended and said vessels would be rerouted to travel around the Cape of Good Hope in “cases where it makes most sense for our customers.”
The ship that was ambushed, the Maersk Hangzhou, was hit by an “unknown object” after it passed through the Bab al-Mandab Strait en route from Singapore to Port Suez, Egypt, Maersk said in a prior statement announcing a temporary pause until January 2.
Following the initial attack, four boats approached the Maersk Hangzhou and opened fire in an attempt to board the ship, according to the company. The Maersk Hangzhou’s security team and a helicopter deployed from a nearby navy vessel “successfully thwarted the attempt,” the company added. The crew aboard the merchant ship were reported to be safe.
