Western ships are expected to start using the Suez Canal and Red Sea routes again after the leaders of the Houthi rebels behind strikes on vessels linked to Israel in the area declared an end to their campaign.
Although a US-Houthi ceasefire has been in place since May, attacks on shipping interests were mean to be limited to vessels with clear links to Israel. However, inaccurate targeting has meant most Western shipping lines have still chosen to avoid the Red Sea areas.
According to an article on The Maritime Executive news site, the Houthis say that, in addition to ceasing attacks on Israeli-linked shipping, they will also stop firing missiles into Israel, which was intended to limit activity around Israel’s ports.
The article said normal shipping flows could be expected to resume in the area ‘after a period of watchful waiting’ – with the caveat that a breakdown in Gaza agreements could reactivate the attacks.