WASHINGTON: British oil giant Shell has reportedly decided to indefinitely suspend transit through the crucial Red Sea shipping route, citing fears of escalating tensions involving Yemen’s Houthis. The move comes in the wake of US and UK strikes on Houthis controlled regions in Yemen, leading to concerns of increased hostilities. The Houthis, who have been targeting Israeli-linked vessels, declared US and British interests “legitimate targets” after the strikes.
The decision to pause transit was made last week by Shell, with concerns centered around the potential for a successful attack leading to a major spill and endangering the safety of ship crews, according to reports by the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday. Shell, when contacted, declined to provide a comment on the matter, AFP reported.
Attacks on Ships in Red Sea
The report also highlighted a previous incident in December, where a tanker chartered by Shell was targeted by a drone in the Red Sea. This recent move by Shell follows a similar announcement in December by BP, stating its decision to suspend oil transit through the Red Sea.
Earlier this month, shipping giant Maersk also announced its intention to divert vessels around Africa instead of using the Red Sea and Suez Canal in the foreseeable future.
The Red Sea, particularly the Bab al-Mandeb Strait between southwest Yemen and Djibouti, is a critical maritime route through which approximately 12 percent of global trade typically passes.
