Shell suspends all Red Sea shipments in response to Houthi attacks: Report

Major British energy company Shell reportedly suspended all Red Sea shipments indefinitely over concerns about potential attacks from Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. 

The oil giant paused shipping in the region because it is worried about a potential escalation in attacks after American and British forces conducted strikes last week on the Houthis, according to a report Tuesday from The Wall Street Journal.

The company stopped all crossings in the Red Sea last week, citing concerns that an attack could endanger the safety of the crews and trigger a massive oil spill. 

A spokesperson for Shell did not provide comment on the matter when requested by Just the News.

Ships in the Red Sea, where about 12% of global seaborne oil goes through, have faced increased attacks by the Houthis since Oct. 7, when the group pledged its support to Hamas in its war against Israel.

Shell is not the only energy company to end shipments in the Red Sea, as BP paused all shipments starting last month. It is unclear when both companies plan to resume shipping.  

The U.S. and U.K. strikes Thursday appear to have not deterred the Houthis, and the group hit a U.S. cargo ship off the coast of Yemen this week.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration on Wednesday redesignated the Houthis as a terror group. 

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