Sailors express safety concerns following attacks on ships in the Red Sea

Merchant ships in the Red Sea and off the coast of Yemen are facing increased dangers as armed groups have been attacking and seizing vessels in the area. A recent attempt to hijack a merchant ship in the Gulf of Aden was carried out by armed Somali pirates, and rockets were subsequently fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. These incidents come as a brutal war broke out between Israel and Hamas on October 7.

The International Chamber of Shipping has called for the attacks to stop immediately and for the innocent seafarers to be released. The Israeli container shipping company, ZIM, has announced proactive measures to ensure the safety of its crews, vessels, and customers’ cargo by rerouting some of its vessels. The US Maritime Administration also issued a statement advising caution when traversing the affected areas and remaining aware of evolving threats in the region. Additionally, insurance industry sources are expecting a rise in war risk premiums, particularly for Israel-linked shipping.

Overall, the situation is a cause for concern for all merchant ships operating in the region due to the increased threats and dangers that they now face.

Source .