Bloomberg: US and British ships return to the Red Sea after Houthis pledge to stop attacks

British and US ships cautiously returned to the Red Sea after the Houthi group pledged to stop attacks on ships linked to the two countries, suggesting that traffic in one of the world's most important trade routes could return to normal after more than a year of turmoil.

According to the Joint Maritime Information Center ( JMIC ), which collects information on Houthi attacks from multiple navies, six ships linked to the United States and the United Kingdom have successfully transited the area without being attacked since January 19, the date the Houthis announced a halt to targeting ships linked to those countries.

“We believe that as the peace agreement progresses, and the targeting of ships and infrastructure continues to be avoided, greater stability is expected; however, risks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden remain high,” the center wrote in a report this week.

Stopping Houthi attacks in the Red Sea

The Houthis announced a partial halt to attacks in response to a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, after attacks that lasted more than a year and affected global trade.

The group said ships linked to the United States and the United Kingdom would be allowed to cross starting January 19, while ships wholly owned by Israeli citizens or companies, or flying the Israeli flag, would remain banned.

If safe passage continues to be guaranteed, it could give other shipping companies still avoiding the Red Sea confidence to return.

However, giants such as Denmark's AP Moller-Maersk, Switzerland's MSC and Japan's Mitsui OSK Lines have said they will not resume transits immediately despite assurances, citing continuing security concerns.

The attacks forced many ships to take the longer route around Africa to avoid the Red Sea, increasing travel times and shipping costs.

Source: Bloomberg