Qatar’s state energy company, one of the world’s biggest liquefied natural gas exporters, has paused sending tankers through the Red Sea after US-led strikes against Houthi militants in Yemen targeting the crucial trade route.
Attacks on ships by the Houthis, who say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians, have disrupted global commerce and alarmed major Western powers in a spillover from Israel’s more than three-month war with Hamas fighters in Gaza.
In the latest shift by a major firm, state-owned QatarEnergy has held at least four LNG tankers back from the Red Sea, a senior source said, adding that production continues.
That followed dozens of US and British strikes on the Houthis in Yemen. They have been at war with a Saudi-led coalition for years, but have also turned their sights on the sea next to them as a way to put pressure on Israel.
The US military said late on Sunday that its fighter aircraft shot down an anti-ship cruise missile fired by the militants toward a US destroyer. No injuries or damage were reported, according to a military statement on X.
On Monday, carmaker Suzuki (7269.T) said production would halt at its Esztergom plant in Hungary from Jan. 15-21 as the Red Sea attacks had delayed the arrival of Japanese-made engines.
The Houthis have vowed to keep targeting Israel-linked ships and to give a firm response to the attacks on them.
US ally Britain said it had no desire to be involved in a Red Sea conflict but was committed to protecting the right of free navigation. “Let’s wait and see what happens,” said Defence Secretary Grant Shapps of potential further strikes.
LSEG ship tracking data showed that Qatar’s Al Ghariya, Al Huwaila and Al Nuaman vessels had loaded LNG at Ras Laffan and were heading to the Suez Canal before stopping off Oman on Jan. 14. The Al Rekayyat, which was sailing back to Qatar, stopped along its route on Jan. 13 in the Red Sea.
“It is a pause to get security advice, if passing (through the) Red Sea remains unsafe we will go via the Cape,” the source told Reuters on Monday about QatarEnergy. The longer route round Africa’s Cape of Good Hope can add about 9 days to the normally 18-day trip to Europe.—Agencies
