Impact on Shipping of Houthi Red Sea Attacks

 The Italian Institute for International Political Studies published on 24 November 2024 a paper titled "Blue Economy and the Mediterranean: How the Red Sea Crisis is Shaping the Region's Maritime Future (and What Is Next)" by Mario Mattioli.

Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping reduced transit through the Suez Canal by about 50 percent in 2023 and 70 percent in the first half of 2024.  Transit around Africa's Cape of Good Hope adds 3,000 to 3,500 nautical miles to voyages connecting Europe and Asia, increasing travel time by about 10 days.  This results in higher costs for fuel, wages, insurance, and freight borne by shipping companies.

The Challenge of Stopping Houthi Attacks on International Shipping

 Foreign Policy published on 1 July 2024 an article titled "Why Can't the U.S. Navy and Its Allies Stop the Houthis?" by Keith Johnson and Jack Detsch.

The allied military response to stop Houthi missile and drone attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and beyond has not succeeded.  While the authors don't fully answer the question why the counter measures have not worked, they note that not enough ships are in the region to deal with the attacks.  In addition, it is far more expensive to down a missile or drone than the cost of the projectiles being neutralized.  The high cost of the operation is raising serious concerns.  

Houthi Red Sea Attacks Underscore Challenge of Creating Counter Force

 The Atlantic Council posted on 16 May 2024 a commentary titled "The Red Sea Attacks Highlight the Erosion of US Leadership in the Region" by Jean-Loup Samaan.

The author spells out why the United States had difficulty in finding partners for Operation Prosperity Guardian, which is designed to prevent or defeat Houthi missile and drone attacks from Yemen on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.   

Comment:  While the response to joining Operation Prosperity Guardian was disappointing, the fact remains that collective efforts, especially the one led by the United States and the United Kingdom, have been instrumental in significantly reducing attacks on international shipping by the Houthis. In the end, the United States will be judged on its ability to end the attacks, not the number of countries it signed up for the operation.