Shipping firms cease deliveries to "Israel" or reroutes around Africa

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
18 Dec 2023 21:28
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The Singaporean shipping company, ONE, declares that it would be ceasing all shipments to the Occupation's ports, according to reports by Israeli media.

A cargo ship of the Taiwanese shipping company Evergreen, off the coast near Pasadena, Md., Monday, March 21, 2022 (AP)

Several global shipping companies announced on Monday that they would be suspending navigation in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea and will be opting for alternative routes their routes: out of concern over the security of their "Israel"-bound vessels.

Taiwanese shipping company, Evergreen, stated that it had redirected its vessels which were set to commute through the Gulf of Aden to an alternative route passing through the Cape of Good Hope of South Africa, according to reports by Reuters. It was also revealed that the Taiwanese company would temporarily stop accepting Israeli cargo.

The Singaporean shipping company, ONE, declared that it would be ceasing all shipments to the Israeli occupation's ports, according to reports by Israeli media.

A company senior representative informed customers that, in light of the operations happening in the Red Sea, no new requests are being accepted for shipments to "Israel" adding that the company is considering alternative steps.

Additionally, the Norwegian-based oil tanker group Frontline announced it would avoid the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea in the time ahead, boosting the rates customers must pay for crude transport, boosting the rates for customers must pay for crude transport, Reuters reported.

Also according to reports by Reuters, Belgian oil tanker firm Euronav declared it would refrain from crossing the Red Sea until further notice.

"We are closely monitoring the situation. The safety of our crews and vessels is of paramount importance," a spokesperson for Euronav told Reuters.

On another note, the Israeli shipping company Zim informed its customers of a container transport price increase of approximately $100 to $400 due to the ongoing attacks by the Yemeni Naval Forces against Israeli vessels and vessels bound for Israeli ports.

Bloomberg also reported that 46 cargo ships rerouted to go around Africa instead of passing through the Red Sea, and another 78 ships have set anchor mid-voyage awaiting instructions.

Earlier today, Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces Brigadier General Yahya Saree announced that the Yemeni naval forces executed a top-tier military operation today against two ships with connections to the Israeli occupation.

Saree revealed in a statement that Swan Atlantic, an oil tanker, and MSC Clara, a ship carrying cargo containers, were targeted by two naval drones.

He affirmed that the targeting of the two ships came after the crew of the two ships refused to respond to the calls of the Yemeni naval forces.

The Yemeni forces reiterated their commitment to the security of global maritime traffic.

Saree emphasized that the Yemeni Naval Forces will only target ships headed to Israeli ports. He assured all ships commuting to any port in the world that they would not be harmed, and called on them to keep their transponders open.

Saree also emphasized that the Yemeni forces will not hesitate to target ships that violate the conditions stated in the previous statements noting that the Yemeni naval forces are committed to preventing ships headed to Israeli ports from navigating via the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea.

The statement emphasized that the operation comes in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza, who have been subjected to killing, destruction, and siege for 73 days, and in response to the calls of the free people of the Yemeni nation and the Arab Umma.