REPORTING. Houthi attacks in the Red Sea: In Israel, the port of Ashdod is slowing down

Yemen's Houthi rebels, defenders of the Palestinian cause, are using drones and missiles to attack ships they say are linked to Israel. Consequence: The Israeli port of Ashdod is slowing down.

Published on December 20, 2023 12:47 p.m

Reading time: 1 min

Yemeni guards patrol the Red Sea, December 2023 (KHALED ZIAD / AFP)

According to the Institute for National Security Studies, an independent think tank at Tel Aviv University in Israel, more than 20 attacks have been recorded in the Red Sea since November 19. At least 55 ships were diverted from their original route, a decision made to avoid the threat of Houthi rebels, even if it meant a long detour around Africa. The economic consequences are now being felt in Israel, particularly in the port of Ashdod, the country's largest port. Its activities had already been slowed since the beginning of the war, and this Red Sea crisis did not help its affairs.

Almost all cranes in the huge port of Ashdod are standing still. The containers remain on the ground and the traditional truck ballet has disappeared. Serguei, a truck driver, confirms the tranquility of the area. “The port is half empty, there are no containers. Even the cars that we import to Israel, new cars, do not arrive in large quantities. With this war, there are entire companies that cannot work,” he states.

Price increases possible in January

Others are slowing down, like the import-export company where accountant Raphaël Méroz works. His company is experiencing delivery delays because the ships carrying the expected goods are now avoiding the Red Sea. “We import frozen fish from China and Vietnam, especially tuna, in containers passing through the Red Sea. If we continue to have to go around the whole of Africa, it will be a very big problem,” he fears. “Taxes on maritime transport have already increased two to three times, and insurance prices have also skyrocketed. Everything has gone up,” he adds.

The Houthi rebels in Yemen are thus able to disrupt an entire part of the global economy, explains Israeli economist Elise Brezis. “These are modern pirates who are affecting all international trade. They don't do it for money, they do it for politics. Therefore the prices will also rise,” she says. Prices for consumers could rise from January if the Red Sea crisis continues, particularly for textile products often imported from Asia.