by Yusri Mohamed, (Reuters) – Egypt’s Suez canal authority mentioned on Sunday it was intently monitoring the impression of tensions within the Pink Sea after current assaults by Yemen’s Houthis on vessels within the southern a part of the basin. Since November 19, 55 ships have rerouted through the Cape of Good Hope, whereas 2,128 have crossed the canal in the identical interval, the authority mentioned.
Main freight companies together with MSC, the world’s largest container transport line, mentioned on Saturday they would keep away from the Suez Canal as Houthi militants stepped up their assaults.
The authority is “intently following the implications of present tensions,” the physique’s chairman, Osama Rabie, mentioned in a press release. Maritime visitors within the canal was at present regular, he added, with out going into additional element.
Iran-aligned Houthis have launched assaults in opposition to vessels within the area in protest in opposition to Israel’s bombardment and invasion of Gaza that has killed nearly 19,000 Palestinians, in accordance with Gaza well being officers.
Rabie mentioned that on Sunday, 77 ships crossed the canal, together with some ships belonging to transport strains that had introduced short-term diversions. These have been vessels that have been already within the Pink Sea area earlier than the bulletins have been made.
(Reporting by Yusri Mohamed, Writing by Nayera Abdallah, Modifying by Elisa Martinuzzi and Andrew Heavens, Reuters)
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