It is said that the CMA CGM Group has decided to suspend transits in the Red Sea following reported incidents involving the Liberia-flagged vessel Koi, which is operating under charter to the company. The vessel was reportedly targeted twice by the Houthi rebels in the past two days.
Initially, CMA CGM denied that the ship had been hit by a Houthi missile, stating that it had diverted to Djibouti for a medical evacuation and was continuing its trip north toward the Suez Canal. However, later reports from U.S. Central Command and the UK Maritime Trade Organizations confirmed nearby explosions, with two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired towards the ship. Fortunately, the vessel was undamaged and continued its journey.
CMA CGM CEO Rodolphe Saade had previously detailed the challenges of operating in the region in an interview with The Financial Times, acknowledging that the company's schedule was in "complete disarray." The company had been sending vessels through the Red Sea on a case-by-case basis, often accompanied by warships, resulting in delays.
The decision to suspend transits in the Red Sea mirrors a similar move by Maersk, which initially paused transits in mid-December after one of its ships was targeted. Maersk later resumed selective transits but eventually halted all transits after another attack on December 31.
The Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for attacks on shipping associated with Israel and have targeted U.S. and UK commercial shipping and warships in retaliation for strikes on Houthi positions. The situation remains volatile, with ongoing threats and incidents affecting maritime traffic in the region.