Qatar pauses Red Sea tankers after Western strikes Yemen
The U.S. military said late on Sunday that its fighter aircraft shot down an anti-ship cruise missile fired by the militants toward a U.S. destroyer
Published: 04:01 PM,Jan 15,2024 | EDITED : 08:01 PM,Jan 15,2024
Yemeni fighters and tribal supporters hold up their firearms during a protest against recent U.S.-led strikes on Houthi targets, near Sanaa. — Reuters
DOHA: Qatar's state energy company, one of the world's biggest liquefied natural gas exporters, has paused sending tankers through the Red Sea after U.S.-led strikes Yemen.
Attacks on Israeli-linked ships by the Yemenis, 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 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.
The U.S. military said late on Sunday that its fighter aircraft shot down an anti-ship cruise missile fired by the militants toward a U.S. destroyer. No injuries or damage were reported, according to a military statement on X.
On Monday, carmaker Suzuki said production would halt at its Esztergom plant in Hungary from Jan. 15-21 as the Red Sea situation had delayed the arrival of Japanese-made engines.
The Yemeni groups have vowed to keep targeting Israel-linked ships and to give a firm response to the attacks on them.
U.S. 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 shiptracking 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. 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 said 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.
The chief negotiator for Yemen's movement group said on Monday that the group's position has not changed since U.S.-led air strikes on Yemen and warned attacks on ships headed to Israel will continue.
'Attacks to prevent Israeli ships or those heading to the ports of the occupied Palestine will continue,' Mohammed Abdulsalam said.
He added that the group's demands are still for an end of the Israeli offensive in Gaza, and allowing humanitarian aid to the north and south of the strip. — Reuters
Attacks on Israeli-linked ships by the Yemenis, 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 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.
The U.S. military said late on Sunday that its fighter aircraft shot down an anti-ship cruise missile fired by the militants toward a U.S. destroyer. No injuries or damage were reported, according to a military statement on X.
On Monday, carmaker Suzuki said production would halt at its Esztergom plant in Hungary from Jan. 15-21 as the Red Sea situation had delayed the arrival of Japanese-made engines.
The Yemeni groups have vowed to keep targeting Israel-linked ships and to give a firm response to the attacks on them.
U.S. 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 shiptracking 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. 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 said 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.
The chief negotiator for Yemen's movement group said on Monday that the group's position has not changed since U.S.-led air strikes on Yemen and warned attacks on ships headed to Israel will continue.
'Attacks to prevent Israeli ships or those heading to the ports of the occupied Palestine will continue,' Mohammed Abdulsalam said.
He added that the group's demands are still for an end of the Israeli offensive in Gaza, and allowing humanitarian aid to the north and south of the strip. — Reuters