Explainer: Major shipping giants resume Red Sea routes amid Houthi attacks

Major shipping companies are resuming routes through the Red Sea, though others are continuing to reroute their vessels amid continued attacks from Yemen’s Houthi rebels and US efforts to secure safe passage through the strategic waterway as the Gaza war continues.

The Danish shipping giant Maersk and France’s CMA CGM announced the resumption of activity through the Suez Canal this week while others including Germany’s Hapag Lloyd were more hesitant.

What happened: The Iran-backed Houthis have been attacking international ships in the Red Sea for years but have increased the attacks since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7. The Houthis say they are targeting Israeli-owned vessels, though many of the ships have no known ties to Israel.

Several shipping companies announced earlier this month they would avoid traversing the Red Sea via the Suez Canal, instead opting to sail around southern Africa via the Cape of Good Hope — a far more time-consuming and costly route.