Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japanese container ship company Ocean Network Express (ONE) is rerouting all its vessels away from the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden due to attacks by Houthi rebels based in Yemen. ONE is a joint venture between Japanese shippers K Line, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Nippon Yusen (NYK).

In a statement issued by the company, ONE referred to “escalating threats to our seafarers and vessels.” This follows the hijacking of the Galaxy Leader car carrier chartered by NYK Line in November.

The company stated: “Effective immediately, as a temporary safety measure, ONE will reroute our vessels away from the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. Instead, we will either navigate our vessels around the Cape of Good Hope or temporarily pause their journey and reposition them in a safe location. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and reinstate our services through the Suez Canal when we determine the area is safe and secure for our seafarers, our vessels, and the cargo onboard.”

Iran-backed Houthi rebels have continued their attacks since the assault on the Galaxy Leader, targeting what they claim are vessels related to Israel as well as American and British navy ships with drones launched from Yemen.

“The recent spate of illegal attacks represents a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security in the Red Sea, ”British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said.

Danish shipping company AP Moller-Maersk said Friday it will suspend all passage through the Bab al-Mandab strait in the Red Sea. Other shipping companies such as Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd and Swiss player MSC followed suit. 

The Suez Canal Authority has reported that 55 ships have chosen to avoid the canal and pass through the Cape of Good Hope, but this represents only 3 percent of normal traffic. Rerouting around the southern tip of Africa extends the journey by 10 to 20 days and increases fuel costs. The Red Sea is also an important route for crude oil and liquefied natural gas, and rerouting could affect energy prices.