Oil company Shell halts shipments via the Red Sea

As attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen on commercial vessels continue, another company has suspended its shipments via the Red Sea. Reports citing sources familiar with the matter stated that oil company Shell has indefinitely suspended all shipments via the Red Sea due to the attacks.

CREW SAFETY CITED AS REASON

The reports indicated that Shell made this decision due to the risk that an attack on its vessels could cause a major oil spill in the region and to ensure the safety of the ship crews. Last month, the British oil company BP also decided to temporarily halt all its shipments through the Red Sea due to the attacks.

CURRENT SITUATION IN THE RED SEA

On December 31, 2023, three Houthi speedboats attempting to seize a ship linked to Israel in the Red Sea were fired upon by US helicopters.

On January 10, the Houthis announced that they had targeted a US ship in the Red Sea with missiles and kamikaze drones, claiming it was supporting Israel.

On January 11, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution submitted by the US and Japan demanding an immediate end to the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

Approximately 12 percent of global trade is conducted via the Suez Canal, which offers the shortest route between Europe and Asia by connecting the Mediterranean to the Red Sea.

News Source: İHA