The MV Genco Picardy, a US-owned bulk carrier, became the latest victim of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea on January 17. These attacks have turned this route, one of the busiest in the world, into the most dangerous. Since November, the Houthis have targeted ships passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a channel between northeast Africa and Yemen.

The Houthis claim to be targeting ships with connections to Israel in retaliation for the Gaza war, using everything from armed kidnappers to missiles and drones. The MV Genco Picardy, carrying phosphate rock, suffered a fire caused by a drone. Still, its crew was unharmed and managed to extinguish the fire.

The situation is complicated by the large number of commercial vessels transiting this route. Around 300 ships enter the most dangerous zone of the Red Sea daily, with between 15 and 25 people aboard each. This has led many shipping companies to avoid the area altogether, opting for long detours around the African continent instead of going through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal on their voyages from Asia to Europe.

These detours add thousands of miles and 10 to 12 days of sailing to each trip, with significant financial and environmental costs. However, many companies have chosen this alternative to avoid the risks of attacks.

The Houthis have targeted various ships, from oil tankers to bulk carriers and container ships. This has prompted military operations by the United States and the United Kingdom to protect the vessels and deter the Houthis.

The crisis in the Red Sea affects the global economy, with potential increases in commodity prices and delays in deliveries. However, experts believe that supply chains are resilient and that transport companies can adapt.

The crisis is expected to last months, and its exact duration is uncertain. Additionally, the increased maritime traffic and long detours have an environmental impact, resulting in more carbon emissions and affecting local marine populations.

Despite the challenges, experts believe that the Houthi attack on global trade will not destroy supply chains. Still, it remains a severe threat, especially to the lives of at-risk sailors.

*Source: BBC News Mundo; The complex and expensive 6,500 km detour that large cargo ships must take to avoid attacks in the Red Sea.