Greece has issued an advisory directing commercial vessels to avoid Yemeni waters. This is due to recent attacks by the Iran-aligned Houthi militant group in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Greek ship-owners, overseeing approximately 20% of the world’s commercial vessel capacity, are urged to maintain only essential crew on the bridge and heed alerts from maritime authorities to mitigate the risk of attacks.
A shipping ministry advisory, issued on Saturday, highlights the impact of Houthi attacks, leading major shipping companies to reroute their vessels via the cape of Good Hope, circumventing the Suez Canal—the shortest route connecting Europe and Asia.
Vessels are instructed to conduct fire drills for safety equipment checks before reaching Yemeni shores. Additionally, they are advised to navigate through the southern Red Sea and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait at night.
The Houthi-controlled Yemen vows to continue until Israel halts its offensive. The escalating attacks have begun affecting global trade, prompting the United States to initiate a multinational operation to safeguard commerce in the Red Sea.
Greece is actively engaged in discussions with European Union and U.S. officials, expressing readiness to participate in international initiatives for maritime security. Greek Shipping Minister Christos Stylianides confirmed these efforts on Wednesday.
