Container line Maersk says the risk area from Houthi attacks has expanded further offshore lengthening the rerouted voyages and increasing costs.

Houthi forces in Yemen have escalated their threat against commercial shipping to include vessels headed to Israel from the East Mediterranean Sea.

Iran’s Foreign Minister told his Estonian counterpart that the ship was seized for endangering the security of navigation.

Following the Houthi attack the 29 April MSC Orion which reportedly took place some 400 nm south of mainland Yemen, which could raise concerns about the ability of coalition forces to protect commercial vessels in a much wider theatre of operations.

IMO secretary general Arsenio Dominguez called for the release of the crews of Galaxy Leader and MSC Aries in his opening remarks to the IMO Legal Committee meeting.

Vessels transiting the Red Sea in face of Houthi attacks are strongly advised to disable AIS transponders and ensure vessels have no US, UK or Israeli links.

Carrier schedule reliability improved in February as the situation with rerouting from the Red Sea to avoid Houthi rebel attacks normalised.