Red Sea Sailing Takes A Turn For The Worse: Passage Is Allowed As Long As It Is Declared To Have Nothing To Do With Israel! Have The First Shipping Companies Reached An Agreement?

According to Yemeni media reports, senior Houthi leader Mohammed Ali al-Houthi issued a statement on January 7 saying that ships passing through the Red Sea would not be attacked as long as they declared that they had "no connection with Israel."

Mohammed Ali Houthi emphasized that the Houthis' actions in the Red Sea region are aimed at stopping Israeli aggression and forcing Israel to lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip.

In a social media posting, the Houthis said that any ship passing through the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, or the Arabian Sea can declare in advance that it has no affiliation with Israel, with the Houthi leader stating, "This is a simple and low-cost solution that will not incur any financial expenses for any business. At the same time, this move will not militarize the Red Sea or harm international shipping. As long as this step is taken, ships will still be able to navigate safely without any obstacles and avoid the hassle of rounding the Cape of Good Hope."

However, the Houthis threatened that if the ship made a false declaration but then traveled to an Israeli port, it would be "blacklisted" and seized the next time it attempted to cross the Red Sea.

A Middle Eastern source has confirmed that the first shipping companies have reached an agreement with the Houthis to ensure the safe passage of their vessels in the Red Sea, following missile and drone strikes on Red Sea vessels in recent weeks, according to overseas media reports.

According to sources with intimate knowledge of the process, meetings have been held in the region aimed at ensuring that the Houthis allow the vessels of specific carriers to pass through the vital waters without hindrance. The first agreement was reached in late December.

In return, the Houthis demanded that shipping companies pledge not to carry Israeli cargo or call at Israeli ports. The agreements were signed against the backdrop of heightened security threats in the Red Sea.

The overseas media outlet has contacted COSCO Shipping, Duffy Line, and Maersk for comment on whether any agreements were reached with the Houthis. However, no comment has been received. In addition, according to the media outlet's information, the largest container carriers are not involved in the agreement with the Houthis. Maersk made it clear in an email response, "We will never enter into such an agreement."

One can't help but speculate about the willingness of shipping companies to enter into reciprocal agreements with the Houthis, who support the Palestinians in the Gaza conflict. Recently, Lars Jensen, CEO of Vespucci Maritime, noted that these agreements could be a product of tensions in the region. He added, "Rumors have been circulating about these agreements for a long time, and they could have a significant impact. This is another example of the geopolitical divisions we are seeing."

Last Friday, the attack prompted Maersk to reroute 145 container ships that were to cross the Red Sea around the Cape of Good Hope. The situation is evolving and remains highly volatile. Lars Jensen commented via LinkedIn, "This essentially shows that the threats to shipping in the region have not changed, so we expect carriers to continue with their circumnavigation of Africa deployments, with the usual exceptions." The overseas media outlet has reached out to COSCO Shipping, Duffy Line, and Maersk for comment on whether any agreements have been reached with the Houthis. However, no comment has been received. In addition, according to the media outlet's information, the largest container carriers are not involved in the agreement with the Houthis. Maersk made it clear in an email response, "We will never enter into such an agreement."

One can't help but speculate about the willingness of shipping companies to enter into reciprocal agreements with the Houthis, who support the Palestinians in the Gaza conflict. Recently, Lars Jensen, CEO of Vespucci Maritime, noted that these agreements could be a product of tensions in the region. He added, "Rumors have been circulating about these agreements for a long time, and they could have a significant impact. This is another example of the geopolitical divisions we are seeing."

Last Friday, the attack prompted Maersk to reroute 145 container ships that were to cross the Red Sea around the Cape of Good Hope. The situation is evolving and remains highly volatile. Lars Jensen commented via LinkedIn, "This essentially shows that the threats to shipping in the region have not changed, so we expect carriers to continue with their circumnavigation of Africa deployments, with the usual exceptions."