The federal government has condemned the attack on a container freighter belonging to the German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd in the Red Sea and is examining a US request for naval intervention. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) said during a visit to Wunstdorf (Lower Saxony): “We are currently examining the request and the options that exist. But we are not at the end of the examination yet.”
A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said press reports about the attack on the “Al Jasrah” were known. There are no own findings that could be shared now.
“Overall, I can say that the federal government condemns the attack on this ship as well as the recent attacks on civilian merchant ships in the Red Sea and in the Al-Mandab Strait, which occur almost daily,” she said. These are completely unacceptable and represent a massive interference with the safety of international shipping.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense said that a few days ago the USA made a request to the German Navy as to whether it would be able to provide support in the Red Sea, “without any specific demands being made.” He said: “This request is currently being examined and will certainly be discussed with all necessary responsible bodies in the government.”
According to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, the United States is working with the international community, regional partners and around the world to find solutions to counter the threat. “We are forming a coalition,” he said. The Houthis therefore pose a significant threat to freedom of navigation, commercial shipping and legitimate trade along a vital artery on the Bab al-Mandeb and the Red Sea. Iran, as the mastermind behind the Houthis’ attacks, is responsible for taking measures to stop the attacks, said Sullivan.
Yemeni Houthis claim attack on container ships
The Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen say they have attacked two container ships in the Red Sea. The Iranian-backed rebels said the ships were on their way to Israel. The crews of the ships therefore ignored warnings. The Houthis then attacked them with two rockets, it was said. These are said to have been the ships “MSC Alanya” and “MSC Platinum III”. It remained unclear when the attacks took place.
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have repeatedly attacked Israel with drones and rockets, among other things. They also declared ships of any nationality heading to Israel a “legitimate target” for their armed forces until the Gaza Strip received the food and medicine it needed.
Baerbock condemns Houthi attacks on ships
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has condemned the attack by Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen on a container freighter belonging to the German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd in the Red Sea. “The federal government strongly condemns all attacks on ships, including of course the attack on the Hapag Lloyd ship,” said the Green politician during a visit by the acting Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib to Berlin. “The Houthis’ attacks on civilian merchant ships in the Red Sea must stop immediately,” she demanded.
The attacks also underlined “that the security threat to Israel comes not only from Hamas in Gaza, but also from the Houthis,” said Baerbock. They threatened international shipping and freedom of trade routes. She also urges the Houthis to release the hijacked ship “Galaxy Leader” and its crew immediately and unharmed. Baerbock thanked Saudi Arabia in particular for helping to thwart further attacks by the Houthis – both in the Red Sea and with drones and missiles on Israel.
After attack: Hapag-Lloyd avoids trips through the Suez Canal
After the attack on a Hapag-Lloyd container freighter in the Red Sea, the shipping company has temporarily stopped its ships from traveling through the Suez Canal. A decision on the situation will be made again on Monday, a spokesman for the Hamburg-based shipping company told the German Press Agency.
According to the information, the freighter had sailed from Piraeus in Greece through the Suez Canal and was heading towards Singapore. Containers in particular were damaged and the structure of the ship was not affected, the spokesman said. There were no injuries. According to media reports, there was a fire on board. The freighter was able to continue its journey after the attack.
Maersk stops container transport through the Red Sea
Following attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea, the Danish shipping giant Maersk is instructing its container ships to temporarily stop sailing through the affected area. Maersk said at the request of the German Press Agency that it was deeply concerned about the escalated security situation in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The recent attacks are alarming and pose a significant threat to the safety of seafarers.
After a near miss by the “Maersk Gibraltar” yesterday and another attack on a container ship today, all Maersk ships in the area that were supposed to sail through the Bab al-Mandab Strait were asked to pause their journeys until further notice, he said Group. The situation will continue to be monitored closely. The company strives to ensure the best possible stability of customers’ supply chains and is taking measures to keep the impact on customers as low as possible.
Not an isolated case in the Red Sea
The container ship “Al Jasrah” was shot at and damaged in the strait between Yemen and Djibouti. There were no injuries, a spokesman for the Hamburg shipping company told the German Press Agency. According to the information, the freighter had sailed from Piraeus in Greece through the Suez Canal and was heading towards Singapore. According to media reports, there was a fire on board after the shelling.
Yemeni Houthi rebels recently attacked ships in the Red Sea. Just yesterday, German shipowners demanded protective measures from the federal government and the EU. With over 1,800 ships, the German merchant fleet is the seventh largest among the world’s major merchant fleets.
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have repeatedly attacked Israel with drones and rockets, among other things, and have threatened to prevent ships of all nationalities from passing through the Red Sea on their way to Israel.
