Houthi rebel leader Muhammad Ali Al-Houthi has ordered his forces not to fire on vessels transiting the Red Sea which declare they have no connection to Israel.

As more and more ships divert from the Red Sea over the threat from Houthi rebels opinion writer Michael Grey warns the situation should not be allowed to drift on.

Three container ships, one each from MSC, Maersk and CMA CGM, were identified on VesselsValue AIS heading south in the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea danger zone despite the carrier’s saying they had re-routed vessels around the African Cape.

With continued attacks on ships in the Red Sea the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) says the safety of seafarers should be paramount, as Ocean Network Express (ONE) becomes the latest to say it is avoiding the region.

Continued attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, including a missile strike on a Norwegian chemical tanker, have prompted more vessel operators to halt Suez transits or divert vessels around the African Cape.

South Korea’s HMM is the latest container line to say it is rerouting all vessels from the Red Sea due attacks on shipping by Yemeni Houthi militia.

The US is launching a multi-national security initiative – Operation Prosperity Guardian – to protect shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden from attacks by Houthi militia.

As Houthi militia in Yemen step up attacks on shipping in the Red Sea the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the World Shipping Council (WSC) have called for urgent action.

MSC, CMA CGM, Maersk, and Hapag-Lloyd have all paused their vessels transiting the Red Sea and are rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope as Houthi militia step up attacks on commercial shipping.

As attacks on commercial shipping the Red Sea see the region becoming a “no go” region for vessels opinion writer Michael Grey calls for action.