Highlights: Hundreds of large ships have diverted their trajectories around the southern tip of Africa. Increase in maritime traffic is creating the beginnings of congestion in so-called bunkering ports. Demand for bunker fuel has increased at ports in Mauritius, the Canary Islands and South Africa. The price of this hydrocarbon, delivered to Cape Town, increased by 15% - to almost $800 per metric ton. Many large oil companies (BP, Shell, QatarEnergy) and shipping companies (MSC, Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd) have already decided in recent weeks to avoid the Red Sea.

Attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels against merchant ships in the Red Sea continue. The attacks target a route that represents around 15% of global maritime traffic and constitutes…

Attacks in the Red Sea: pressure on African ports

Attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels against merchant ships in the Red Sea continue.

The attacks target a route that accounts for around 15% of global maritime traffic and is a vital channel between Europe and Asia.

Hundreds of large ships have diverted their trajectories around the southern tip of Africa.

The consequences are already being felt in certain African ports.

The commercial ship “Galaxy Leader”, owned by an Israeli businessman, which was seized by Yemen's Houthi rebels, Sunday November 19, 2023. via REUTERS - Owen Foley

By: RFI Follow

This increase in maritime traffic is creating the beginnings of congestion in so-called bunkering ports.

In these ports, ships come to refuel with heavy fuel oil, necessary for their propulsion.

Demand for bunker fuel has increased at ports in Mauritius, the Canary Islands and South Africa.

The price of this hydrocarbon, delivered to Cape Town, increased by 15% - to almost $800 per metric ton.

No problem with blocking ports for the moment, explains Raj Mohabeer, head of maritime security at the Indian Ocean Commission, but the situation could deteriorate.

“

We know that there is a bit of difficulty in the port of Durban.
This change in boat routes will certainly have a lot of impact in the area.
For example, with the increasing number of

bulk carriers and oil tankers, there may be increased risks of marine and other pollution.

Maybe

everyone thought these attacks wouldn't be persistent.
However, in light of what we are seeing, this is something that is not going to end so soon and this is where we are thinking about what follow-ups we could take.

And what steps can be taken to counter piracy attacks off the coast of Somalia, for example?

There have been at least four, against commercial ships, since the end of November.

Read alsoGaza: ships diverted from the Red Sea faced with congestion in African ports

US-British strikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels launched on January 12 marked a sharp escalation in the Red Sea

The American-British strikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen launched on January 12 marked a sudden escalation in the Red Sea, the scene of repeated attacks by these pro-Iran insurgents against merchant ships presumed “

linked to Israel

”.

The rebels say they are carrying out their attacks in “solidarity” with the Palestinians in Gaza, prey to Israeli bombardments since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden have forced many shipowners to suspend passage on this crucial transit route representing up to 12% of world trade.

Many large oil companies (BP, Shell, QatarEnergy) and shipping companies (MSC, Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM, etc.) have already decided in recent weeks to avoid the Red Sea until further notice.

Major Japanese shipping carrier Nippon Yusen (NYK Line) also confirmed this week that it was completely suspending the transit of its cargo ships through the Red Sea.

Chronology of events

January 12

: American and British forces strike before dawn 60 targets on around fifteen sites held by the Houthis in Yemen, using fighter planes and missiles, according to the American military command in the Middle East (Centcom).

Five people were killed during the strikes, according to the Houthis, who fired “at least one” missile in response without hitting any targets.

After these strikes, the rebels proclaimed American and British interests as “

legitimate targets

”.

January 13

: A new US strike hits Al-Dailami air base, located in the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa, according to the US military, following warnings from the Houthis of continued attacks on ships in Red Sea.

January 14

: American forces shoot down a cruise missile fired by the Houthis towards the American destroyer

USS Laboon

, from Yemen.

January 15

: A missile fired by the Houthis hits the American cargo ship

Gibraltar Eagle

off the city of Aden in southern Yemen, causing a fire on board, but causing no casualties.

January 16

: The United States destroys four anti-ship ballistic missiles ready for launch from Yemen, according to the U.S. military.

Later, a missile hit a Maltese-flagged Greek bulk carrier sailing in the Red Sea, causing limited damage.

January 17

: A drone launched by the Houthis hits the American bulk carrier

Genco Picardy

, causing no injuries, but causing slight damage, according to Centcom.

American forces then neutralized 14 missiles “loaded for firing” from Yemen, according to Washington.

January 18

: The Houthis claim strikes having “

directly hit

” an American merchant ship, the

Chem Ranger

, in the Gulf of Aden.

US forces say the missiles missed their target.

The United States says it has destroyed two Houthi anti-ship missiles in Yemen, ready to be launched into the Red Sea it says.

January 19

: The United States “conducted three successful defensive strikes” on Friday against Houthi rebels in Yemen, White House spokesman John Kirby said.

January 20

: The United States carried out the strikes around 4 a.m. local time Saturday against “

a Houthi anti-ship missile that was aimed at the Gulf of Aden and prepared to be launched

,” the statement said. American military command in the Middle East (Centcom).

Read alsoThe Houthis, a “skill in an asymmetrical war logic from the weak to the strong”

Attacks in the Red Sea: pressure on African ports

Attacks in the Red Sea: pressure on African ports

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