Maersk Not Returning to the Gulf of Aden for Now

Maersk will continue to divert vessels away from the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea and toward the southern tip of Africa despite Yemen's Houthis announcing they will curb their attacks on ships, the container shipping giant said on Friday.

The Danish shipping company said the announcement by the Iran-backed militia was "a very welcome step in the right direction towards stability and eventual normality for the global shipping industry".

However, it said the security risk for commercial vessels transition the Red Sea and Bab-el-Mandeb strait remains high.

"With this in mind – and the safety of our crew, vessels, and your cargo being our utmost priority – Maersk will continue to sail around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope until safe passage through the area is ensured for the longer term," it said.

Houthis have carried out more than 100 attacks on ships since November 2023 and sunk two vessels, seized another and killed at least four seafarers.

They have targeted the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which are joined by the narrow Bab al-Mandab strait, a chokepoint between the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.