Two more container ships were attacked! Two major shipping companies announce suspension of Red Sea operations

Maersk, the world's second largest container shipping giant, recently issued a statement stating that two ships carrying U.S. military supplies operated by its U.S. subsidiary Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) crossed the Bab el Mandeb Strait northbound under the escort of the U.S. Navy. At that time, it was attacked by three anti-ship missiles launched by the Houthi armed forces, witnessed a nearby explosion, and was forced to make an emergency U-turn and turn back. Subsequently, Maersk MLL and ONE announced the suspension of Red Sea operations.

Both ships are operated by Maersk Line, Maersk's U.S. subsidiary. The company provides cargo transportation services to the U.S. Department of Defense, State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development and other U.S. government agencies. The two ships are the Maersk Detroit and the Maersk Chesapeake.

Maersk mentioned in the statement: "During the voyage, both ships observed nearby explosions, and the US Navy's entourage also intercepted multiple projectiles." Fortunately, the ships and crew were not harmed, It is currently being escorted back to the Gulf of Aden by the U.S. Navy. The USS Gravely destroyer launched missiles and successfully intercepted two of them. The second missile fell into the sea. There were no reports of casualties or damage. Both ships attacked had joined the U.S. government's Maritime Security Program (MSP) and the Voluntary Intermodal Shipping Agreement (VISA), and therefore were escorted by U.S. Navy ships through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. MSP and VISA are programs operated by the U.S. Department of Defense for the transportation of troops, supplies, and equipment during times of war or national emergency.

To ensure safety, Maersk has temporarily stopped vessels from its U.S. subsidiary from transiting the Red Sea. Earlier, the U.S. Central Command stated that Yemen’s Houthi armed forces launched three anti-ship ballistic missiles at the U.S.-flagged container ship Maersk Detroit. The ship was transiting the Gulf of Aden at the time. One of the missiles fell into the sea, and the other two missiles were successfully intercepted and shot down by the USS Gravely destroyer. There are currently no reports of damage to the ships. The Houthi armed forces issued a statement saying that during a conflict that lasted for more than two hours with multiple US warships protecting two US cargo ships, they "directly hit a US ship." The U.S. Maritime Labor Organization expressed concern about threats to U.S.-flagged vessels. In recent weeks, the ships have been targeted in what nine unions have called "the worst attack on U.S. merchant shipping in more than half a century." "It is critical that U.S.-flagged vessels receive the necessary protection from U.S. forces as they transit the increasingly dangerous waters of the Red Sea," the unions wrote in a Jan. 19 letter to U.S. Transportation Command. Transportation Security of Commercial, Military, and Foreign Aid Supplies.”

ONE announced on January 25 that in view of the recent development of the security situation around the Red Sea, it will suspend AR1 services until further notice. This is a proactive measure designed to prioritize the safety of crew, ship and cargo.

While there may be an inconvenience to customers, the suspension is a precautionary measure for the safety of the area. ONE is monitoring the situation closely and will resume AR1 services as soon as it is deemed safe for vessels to operate in the area again.