BERLIN, DEC 17    :    Germany is considering sending the Hessen frigate to the Red Sea to protect merchant ships from the Houthi attacks in the region, German newspaper Bild reported on Saturday, citing sources.

Earlier on Saturday, the head of the Bundestag Defense Committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, reportedly suggested that the German navy participate in the protection of maritime trade routes in the Red Sea against the backdrop of a recent attack on a ship belonging to a German company.

The warship could sail towards the Red Sea at the beginning of the year, the report added.
At the same time, French shipping and logistics company CMA CGM has decided to suspend container transportation in the Red Sea.

“The CMA CGM Group is deeply concerned about the recent attacks on commercial vessels unfolding in the Red Sea Region … A such we have decided to instruct all CMA CGM containerships in the area that are scheduled to pass through the Red Sea to reach safe areas and pause their journey in safe waters with immediate effect until further notice,” the company said on Saturday.

On Friday, Liberian-flagged cargo ship Al Jasrah, belonging to German international shipping company Hapag-Lloyd, was hit by a projectile launched from the part of Yemen controlled by the rebel Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, in the Red Sea. As a result of the attack, a fire broke out on the deck and one container fell overboard; however, no injuries to the crew were reported.

The Houthis have earlier said that they would continue to prevent the passage in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea of ships linked to Israeli companies or bound for Israel until Israel’s military operation in the Gaza Strip ends.

After the armed conflict between Israel and Palestinian movement Hamas resumed on October 7, the Houthis have conducted multiple missile and drone attacks, threatening civilian infrastructure in Israel and commercial shipping operating in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.(UNI)