After a spate of Houthi attacks on merchant ships en route in the Red Sea, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) urged governments on Friday to send more war vessels in the afflicted area.
The call comes amid increasing talk that the US and its allies might step up their naval presence in the region to protect the key route, through which more than a tenth of world trade passes.
US and French frigates and destroyers have already assisted merchant vessels in defying Yemeni rebel demands to turn around and leave the area.
However, nevertheless, the Houthis have been escalating the attacks they are carrying out in support of Palestinian group Hamas in its war against Israel, firing missiles on several ships this week.
The ICS expressed its gratitude for the West’s naval operations thus far, but said it is not enough.
“[The] ICS lauds the actions and presence of naval forces so far in intervening against the aggressors and hopes and expects further commitments of the same nature in the very near future,” the ICS said.
“The full maritime security architecture in the region should be brought to bear to end these attacks and protect our seafarers and merchant shipping.”
The crisis in the Red Sea is taking its toll on trade.
Big liner seeks re-routing optionality
“Some companies have already rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid Houthi aggression, which adds cost and delay to global trade,” the ICS said.
The body also expressed “extreme concern” about information that shipping companies are “considering additional actions, which could lead to further ships diverting to this route”.
This chimes with information received by TradeWinds from other shipping sources.
Large market players are said to be actively trying to opt out of trades, evaluating the viability of time-charter deals that would expose ships to danger.
Rumours are floating around of a big liner company looking into drafting charter party clauses that would officially establish an option to sail around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope.
“States with influence in the region should, as a matter of urgency, work to stop the actions of the Houthis in attacking seafarers and merchant ships, and de-escalate what is now an extremely serious threat to international trade,” the ICS said.
