A second LNGC has transited the Suez Canal and headed for the Bab el Mandeb strait in the Red Sea.
This is only the second LNGC transit since last June, after the Yemeni Houthis launched an offensive against many vessels using the strait.
Reuters has reported that the Liberian-flagged ‘Trader III’, was in ballast, based on data from Kpler and LSEG. She was last reported sailing from Brazil and heading for Turkey, according to the data.
The Houthis have been targeting vessels passing through the Bab el Mandeb strait since November, 2023 in reaction to Israeli bombings of Gaza.
Initially, the militant group said it would only target Israeli ships and those sailing under flags of Israel’s allies but later expanded its campaign to other ships.
Attempts by the US and the Europeans to repulse the attacks have thus far failed to produce any results.
Following the recent signing of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the Houthis said that their targets would be reduced but President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of the US possibly taking over Gaza prompted fears that the militants could resume attacks on ships in the area.
According to the UK’s Financial Times in early February, in the week that followed the Houthis’ ceasefire declaration, Red Sea traffic slightly increased by 4%.
Most of the LNGC traffic between Asia and Europe now uses the South African route, which adds several days to the trips and millions of dollars in transport costs.
In another move, the European Union (EU) has announced a mandate extension of its maritime security operation, EUNAVFOR Aspides, for another year.
This operation will now continue until 28th February, 2026, with a budget of over €17 mill allocated for the extended period.
In addition to protecting vessels in the area, ASPIDES has been authorised to gather intelligence on arms trafficking and ‘shadow’ fleets.
