Iranian-backed Houthi militants attack Maersk container ship in Red Sea, leading to a 48-hour halt in Maersk's sailings. The crew is safe, but the incident heightens tensions in a key global trade route.t.co/vsFgZfoe66 pic.twitter.com/JKDoX4aOqK
— Lavrion Mining (@LavrionMining) December 31, 2023
Maersk Halts Red Sea Transit After Container Ship Hit By Missile
Maersk, one of the largest shipping companies in the world, suspended all container ship sailings in the Southern Red Sea after Iranian-backed Houthi militants attacked one of its vessels. This comes a day after the shipper reportedly attempted to restart sails in the critical waterway under the US’ Operational Prosperity Guardian security umbrella.
US Central Command wrote in a post on X that the Maersk Hangzhou container ship was struck by a missile while transiting the Southern Red Sea. The vessel requested assistance from the US military, to which two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, USS Gravely (DDG 107) and USS Laboon (DDG 58), responded.
“While responding, the USS GRAVELY shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen toward the ships,” CENTCOM said, adding this is the 23rd “illegal attack” by Houthi rebels on commercial vessels on the critical waterway since Nov. 19.
USS GRAVELY shoots down two anti-ship ballistic missiles while responding to Houthi attack on merchant vessel.
Today at approximately 8:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), the container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU reported that they were struck by a missile while transiting the Southern Red Sea. The… pic.twitter.com/nUgifhkdC8
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 31, 2023