Shipping lines pull back from Yemen

LONDON: International shipping lines are being forced to scale back or suspend port calls to Yemen as the conflict intensifies.
The coalition has deployed naval vessels to intercept ships carrying arms to the rebels, although merchant ships are meant to have free passage.
Most ports appear to be under Houthi control or are disputed by combatants. Many shipping companies are now unwilling to risk their vessels, industry sources say.
“Many of the owners and container lines are refusing to go to Yemen. You can still call at a number of ports but the fear factor is growing,” an international commodities trade source involved in Yemen said.
The world’s largest global shipping association, BIMCO, said: “If a port is taken/held by the Houthis and a ship is seen to be supplying the rebels, the ship could be at risk from airstrikes or indeed naval action from the coalition.”
The top container group, Maersk Line, said it had suspended all calls to Yemen. The number 2 ship container line, MSC, said it had taken the decision to divert vessels bound for Yemen “to alternative, and more secure, ports in the region.”
The third biggest container group, CMA CGM said separately it was not making direct port calls to Yemen, only booking slots on other vessels that still called at the Hodaida port.
Others such as Taiwan’s Evergreen Line had also suspended shipping services “to prevent risk to the Line’s vessels and its customers’ cargoes.”
Container group United Arab Shipping Company said it had suspended all cargo bookings. Precious Shipping, one of Thailand’s largest dry cargo ship owner, said it would not allow any of its fleet into Yemeni waters.
At least four oil and natural gas tankers that were headed to Yemen have been diverted due to the chaos.