Gaza and Israel have reached a ceasefire agreement, but the shipping industry remains uncertain about a potential continuation of attacks on vessels transiting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Israel and Hamas have agreed to a phased ceasefire, starting on 19 January, which will last for 42 days and involve the release of some Israeli hostages in the first phase. However, it remains uncertain whether Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden will continue after the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas on 15 January.
According U.S. Naval Institute News, in a call with a reporters, a senior Biden administration official said that the Houthi issue was not yet fixed but efforts were still ongoing.
Furthermore, Lars H. Barstad, CEO, Frontline Shipping, commented that he is hopeful but citing his post on X from June 2024, highlighted that his points still stand about to expecting owners to put their seafarers at risk passing the Red Sea or the Gulf of Eden anytime soon as “naive.”
The passage takes time and any ceasefire will be vulnerable with risk of crew being caught if it breaks, said Barstad.
We all hopeful with the #ceasefire, but my post from June i still very much valid $FRO #OOTT #Tankers https://t.co/oezUvK0eJm
— Lars H. Barstad (@lh_barstad) January 15, 2025
On February 2024, Houthi rebels had claimed that they will stop attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea only when Israel ceases aggression in the Gaza Strip.
There will be no halt to any operations that help Palestinian people except when the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the siege stop.
…had stated Mohammed Abdulsalam, Houthis’ spokesman, on Reuters.
Since November 2023, the Houthis have aligned with Hamas, targeting vessels in the Red Sea with ballistic missiles and explosives, resulting in approximately 90 reported attacks.
The industry in response has been trying to navigate the situation with ongoing guidance and instructions for transiting the areas concerned. On September 2024, the Interim Industry Transit Advice for Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden was updated to reflect the changes to the Houthi threat.
