COPENHAGEN, Dec 19 (Reuters) – Danish shipping company Maersk announced on Friday that one of its vessels successfully passed through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait for the first time in nearly two years. However, the company currently has no plans to fully reopen this route.

Maersk started rerouting vessels away from the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea around the Cape of Good Hope in January 2024 after Houthi militants in Yemen attacked ships in the area, claiming solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.

On Thursday and Friday, the Maersk Sebarok vessel completed the transit, as confirmed by the company's statement.

“While this is an important step forward, it doesn’t mean we are considering a broader change to our East-West network back to the trans-Suez corridor,” the statement mentioned.

However, Maersk noted that it is looking at a “stepwise approach” towards resuming passage through the area. At this time, there are no additional sailings planned.