News / New warning to shipping as Houthis confirm missing Eternity C crew are safe

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Just months after what appeared to be a gradual de-escalation of threats to shipping in the Red Sea, Yemeni rebels are widening their scope of operations, citing a worsening of the situation unfolding in Gaza.

Describing it as “the fourth phase” in their naval blockade of the Suez Canal, the Iran-backed Houthi militia confirmed, in a statement received by The Loadstar last night, that it would “escalate its military support operations”.

It added: “This phase includes targeting all ships belonging to any company that deals with the ports of the Israeli enemy, regardless of the nationality of that company, and in any location within the reach of our armed forces.

“We warn all companies to cease their dealings with Israeli enemy ports starting from the moment this statement is announced. Otherwise, their ships, regardless of their destination, will be targeted anywhere that can be reached or within the reach of our missiles and drones.”

The announcement comes on the back of the group releasing a video this week confirming that 11 seafarers had been rescued following the attack on the Eternity C  that resulted in two sailors being killed and another two presumed dead.

Marking the first time the Houthis had confirmed the number, and some names, of seafarers in their hands, the group rejected the notion it was holding them hostage, saying they had been “rescued” and were awaiting transport to a “safe location”.

Several of the seafarers had issued warnings, telling other ships “please do not go to Israel because it is very dangerous and many Palestinian people are suffering”, while another said it should be up to crew members to decide whether to sail in “a dangerous area”.

Cosmoship, owner of the sunk Eternity C, issued a response to the video, stating: “This confirmation brings great comfort to all of us at Cosmoship, and especially to the families who have waited anxiously for news [of the missing seafarers].

“Our utmost priority remains the safety and well-being of these individuals. We continue to work through every available channel to support their continued care and to facilitate their safe and swift return home to their families.”

What this means for carriers that have considered resuming services through Suez, notably CMA CGM, remains unclear, but the French carrier has been decidedly less risk-averse than its peers, having sent its BEX2/Phoenician Express through the canal regularly since April 2024.

And, after the Houthis said in May that they would only target Israeli vessels, or those entering Israel’s port of Haifa, CMA CGM confirmed it would revert to a Suez transit for its Med Express service, having also resumed its Mediterranean Club Express service.