The military conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran is starting to disrupt trade in regional waters.
Danish shipping corporation Maersk announced Sunday that it would stop sending some of its ships through the Red Sea, hinting at broader economic implications of a prolonged war with Iran.
“Due to the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East region following the escalating military conflict, we have decided to pause future Trans-Suez sailings through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait for the time being,” Maersk said Sunday in a statement.
The company added that its services in the Persian Gulf nations of the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar would also be disrupted by the military conflict.
Last month, Maersk announced it was planning to return some ships to the Suez route after two years of trade disruption due to attacks from Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The announcement comes after Houthi leadership vowed to resume strikes against Israel and cargo ships traveling through the Red Sea on Sunday following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran.
The Houthis had for years severely disrupted trade in the Red Sea in reaction to Israel’s conduct in its war against Hamas in Gaza.
But an Oman-mediated peace deal between the U.S. and the Houthis had led to a limited ceasefire in May that cut down on strikes.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.
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