The U.S. is deploying naval ships to the Red Sea amid increasing Houthi rebel attacks. While U.S. Central Command holds a 36-0 record against Houthi threats, most recently intercepting a hail of drone attacks, major shipping companies have temporarily halted Suez Canal transport — a route handling 9% of global oil.
While in the Middle East this week, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will announce Operation Prosperity Guardian, an international effort to protect shipping companies from Houthi attacks and secure commercial shipping routes in the Red Sea. Led by the U.S., the operation will involve assistance from British and French vessels actively thwarting attacks in the region.
“And so we’re taking action to build an international coalition to address this threat,” Austin told press in Tel Aviv. “And I would remind you that this is not just a U.S. issue. This is an international problem, and it deserves an international response. The straits are pretty important, as we know. As you know, a large amount of commerce flows through there. International commerce flows through there on a daily basis.”
London’s oil giant, British Petroleum, joined 10 other major shipping and energy groups in pausing shipments in the Red Sea due to ongoing Houthi attacks. A tanker navigating from the Middle East to Europe would typically take 17 days via the Suez Canal. The journey takes 41 days if circumventing Africa.
The announcement led to a hike in oil and gas prices Monday, Dec. 18. Combined with expected increases in shipping prices, the pause in the Red Sea will have at least a short-term impact on consumers in Europe and North America.
