No one denies the importance of straits in the waters of the Arab world, notably the Strait of Hormuz, the Strait of Bab al-Mandab off Yemen and the Suez Canal. All of these are considered important straits for the maritime transportation of goods across the world. During the past decades, the importance of all three waterways has increased, but Bab al-Mandab Strait in particular has proved critical because it shortens the shipping distance between the countries and reducing the costs of maritime transport.
The recent decision of the Yemenis to restrict the passage of ships carrying shipments of weapons and other cargoes from crossing the Bab al-Mandab Strait to Israeli ports has led to a jump in sea freight charges by more than 200%.
This decision has impacted shipping and freight costs, boosting insurance rates and disruption operations at major ports globally. Many international shipping companies have begun redirecting their merchant fleets to the Cape of Good Hope route past South Africa, which led to an increase of ship transit times to around twenty days.
As a result, container freight rates have soared to $6000 (per 40-foot box), up from $1,600 on routes from Asia to Northern Europe.
This has prompted some international shipping companies to raise these prices to avoid any attacks by Yemenis in solidarity with the people of the steadfast Gaza Strip, who have been subject to barbaric attacks daily by the Israeli occupation forces with support from the United States and a number of European countries. It is expected that this crisis will continue if these countries and international organizations do not hold Israel accountable for its numerous crimes, stop the daily genocide of the Palestinian people, and resolve the Palestinian issue that has been going on for more than 75 years.
Today, the world has begun to understand the importance of these straits in the waters of the Arab world. Bringing calm to the Red Sea does not require the formation of a task force, as was announced recently by the US Secretary of Defense, but warrants an international decision to stop the ongoing war on Gaza. It is clear that the biggest loser will be Israel which has not achieved any goal since it began its ruthless air attacks on innocent and defenseless women and children in the Gaza Strip. Israel relies heavily on the passage of its ships through Bab al-Mandab, as 98% of its foreign trade passes through both the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
Many observers describe the war on Gaza as a genocide involving the use of horrific methods of killing and destruction. The war on Gaza has made the world aware today of the importance of these Arab waterways, which constitute a source of income for countries if they are exploited wisely.
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