US, UK Ships Transit Red Sea Amid Houthi Ceasefire

Following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, Yemen's Houthi rebels have pledged to refrain from attacks on U.S. and UK-affiliated vessels in the Red Sea, resulting in six successful transits since January 19, 2025. The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) reported that while this pause in hostilities is promising for maritime commerce, threats remain, particularly towards Israeli-owned vessels. The Houthis have previously conducted over 100 attacks on ships in the region, causing significant disruptions to global shipping routes. Major shipping companies, including Maersk and MSC, remain cautious about resuming operations despite the Houthi assurances, as they continue to monitor the situation closely. The ceasefire is expected to last for 42 days, with further negotiations anticipated in the coming weeks. Shipping experts suggest that normalization of routes could take months, depending on the stability of the ceasefire and regional dynamics.