Growing Concerns Over Ship Safety in the Red Sea

The US has issued a warning to vessel operators about evolving threats in the Red Sea region following a spate of attacks on merchant shipping near Yemen and Somalia. Recent incidents, including the seizure of the Galaxy Leader car carrier by Houthis and the targeting of a Liberia-flagged chemicals tanker, have raised concerns about the sophistication of the attacks. Shipowners are alarmed by the use of helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles, which are not typically seen in anti-piracy scenarios. The attacks pose a risk to the critical trade route between Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal, and insurers may increase premiums for ships sailing through the area. Some Israeli-controlled vessels have already started avoiding the region due to the heightened risk.