Red Sea risk remaining high, Maersk says

Risks remain high for shipping in the Red Sea, the Denmark-based Maersk said.

"The situation in and around the Red Sea / Gulf of Aden continues to be volatile and all available intelligence at hand confirms that the security risk remains at a significantly high level," Maersk said. "Due to the continuing situation, we are making changes to the Blue Nile Express, as our priority remains the safety of our seafarers, vessels, and your cargo," the logistics operator noted,

"Effective immediately, the Blue Nile Express (BNX) will omit the Red Sea. The amended service rotation will now be Jebel Ali - Salalah - Hazira - Nhava Sheva - Jebel Ali. There is no expected impact to carrying capacity," it added.

The company decided earlier to suspend traffic of its vessels in the Red Sea after the Maersk Hangzhou was hit by a missile on December 30.

U.S. military destroys three Houthi anti-ship missiles - CENTCOM

The United States wiped out three anti-ship missiles belonging to the Ansar Allah movement as it delivered more strikes on the Houthi-controlled area in Yemen on Friday, the US Defense Department’s Central Command (CENTCOM) reported.

"On January 19 at approximately 6:45 p.m. (Sanaa time) [3:45 p.m. GMT], U.S. Central Command forces conducted strikes against three Houthi anti-ship missiles that were aimed into the Southern Red Sea and were prepared to launch," CENTCOM said in a statement on X. According to it, "U.S. forces subsequently struck and destroyed the missiles in self-defense."

On Friday, the latest strikes were reported by Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House John Kirby who said this was the fourth pre-emptive action by the US military targeting Houthi missile launchers.

'U.S. CENTCOM Destroys Three Houthi Terrorists' Anti-Ship Missiles'

🔶️ "As part of ongoing efforts to protect freedom of navigation and prevent attacks on maritime vessels, U.S. Navy ships are present in the Red Sea. On Jan. 19 at approximately 6:45 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces conducted strikes against three Houthi anti-ship missiles that were aimed into the Southern Red Sea and were prepared to launch. U.S. forces identified the missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the U.S. Navy ships in the region. U.S. forces subsequently struck and destroyed the missiles in self-defense. This action will make international waters safe and secure for U.S. navy vessels and merchant vessels."

🔶️ "The US and the UK are exploring ways to step up their campaign against Houthi militants in Yemen, with a focus on targeting Iranian resupplies and launching more aggressive pre-emptive strikes, people familiar with the matter says"