Japan container shipper ONE halts Red Sea route amid Houthi attacks

Growing list of operators redirect vessels, threatening to disrupt supply chains

The Galaxy Leader car carrier chartered by Japan's NYK Line is escorted by Houthi boats in the Red Sea on Nov. 20. (Houthi Military Media via Reuters)

TAKESHI KUMON and JUNYA HEMMI, Nikkei staff writers

December 20, 2023 02:01 JST

CAIRO/TOKYO -- Container shipper Ocean Network Express will reroute vessels away from the Red Sea in response to mounting attacks on ships by Houthi rebels based in Yemen, the Japanese company announced Tuesday.

ONE is the latest global shipping operator to halt navigation through the Red Sea, which via the Suez Canal provides the shortest maritime route between Europe and Asia. Houthi militants said they launched drone attacks Monday against two commercial vessels off the coast of Yemen, according to Reuters.