Japanese shipping firms halt Red Sea transits

Japanese shipping companies Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Line), Mitsui OSK Line (Mol) and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K-Line) have temporarily suspended Red Sea transits of all their vessels, in response to Yemen's Houthi rebels attacking ships.

NYK Line decided on 12 January to stop Red Sea transits of all its ships for safety reasons. It had let some vessels go through the region after the Houthi attacks began, although growing risks has forced the firm to alter its stance. NYK Line is unsure when it will resume Red Sea transits and declined to disclose where it will detour to.

K-Line on 12 January and Mol last week also decided to halt Red Sea transits of all their ships. They are considering going around the Cape of Good Hope to carry goods between Asia and Europe. They are also unclear when they will restart voyages through the Red Sea.

The situation in the region has worsened, with the latest incident seeing US forces on 17 January striking and destroying anti-ship ballistic missiles that were to launch from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, after the militant group hit the Greek-owned bulk carrier Zografi.

By Nanami Oki