Liberian-flagged crude oil tanker Chrysalis, which was attacked by Yemen’s Houthis last year, sailed through the Red Sea this week, the Suez Canal has said, in one of the first voyages since the militia announced a halt in attacks on ships not linked to Israel, according to Reuters.
Shipping companies, many of which have suspended Red Sea voyages and rerouted vessels around southern Africa to avoid potential Houthi attacks, have been anxiously waiting for confirmation of safe voyages through the Red Sea since the Gaza ceasefire.
The Houthis, which have carried out more than 100 attacks on ships since November 2023 and sunk two vessels, said on January 20 after the Gaza ceasefire that they would limit their attacks on shipping lanes to Israel-linked vessels. Previously they had targeted ships linked to the UK and US although other vessels with no connection have also been hit.
“It is the vessel’s first transit since it was attacked in the Red Sea last July,” Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority said yesterday, hailing the return of the Chrysalis.
“The return of the tanker to transit through the Suez Canal is a strong message of reassurance regarding the positive developments towards the return of stability to the Red Sea region,” Suez Canal Authority Chairman Osama Rabie said.
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