Two major shipping companies, including MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co, the world's largest container shipper, said on Saturday they would avoid the Suez Canal after Yemen's Houthi fighters stepped up attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea. The Houthi movement, which is backed by Iran, has attacked ships in response to the war in Gaza, right on the route that facilitates trade between West and East, particularly oil. The Suez Canal saves shipping companies time and money because ships do not have to go around Africa. With the conflict, war insurance premiums became more expensive. According to the Houthis, the Liberianflagged MSC Palatium III was attacked by a drone on Friday in the Bab alMandab Strait off the coast of Yemen in the southern part of the Red Sea. There were no injuries, but the ship caught fire and was decommissioned, according to the MSC. Another Liberian ship, Hapag Lloyd's Al Jasrah, was hit by a missile, according to US forces. The Danish AP MollerMaersk stopped all transport through Bab alMandab on Friday, and this Saturday the Swiss MSC and the French CMA CGM followed in its footsteps. “The situation is deteriorating and security concerns are increasing,” CMA CGM said in a statement. Germany's HapagLloyd said it could take similar measures. The Houthis have stepped up attacks on ships in recent weeks and have also fired drones and rockets against Israel in support of the Hamas group fighting with Israel in the Gaza Strip. On Saturday, the Houthis attacked the Israeli resort of Eilat on the Red Sea. U.S. Central Command said the destroyer Carney shot down 14 drones launched by the Houthis in the Red Sea on Saturday morning. The United Kingdom also said one of its warships shot down a drone suspected of attacking a merchant ship. The Houthis, who control much of Yemen, have vowed to continue attacks until Israel stops its offensive, but said on Friday they had only targeted ships heading to Israel. However, both the Palatium III and another threatened MSC ship, the Alanya, had Jeddah in Saudi Arabia as their destination, according to the company MarineTraffic. MSC announced that it is reorganizing some services to circumnavigate the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, which will add several days to the journey compared to routes using the Suez Canal.
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