Oil Tanker Attacked Last Year Crosses Red Sea as Houthi Ceasefire Holds

Photo Source: Carlo Martinelli - ShipSpotting.com

The Liberian-flagged crude oil tanker Chrysalis, which was attacked by Yemen's Houthi militia last year, made its way through the Red Sea this week. This is one of the first voyages since the group declared a ceasefire on attacks against ships not connected to Israel. The Suez Canal confirmed this milestone on Monday, reassuring shipping companies anxiously awaiting a safe passage through the Red Sea after months of disruptions.

In recent months, many shipping companies have suspended Red Sea voyages or rerouted their vessels around southern Africa to avoid the threat of Houthi attacks. The militia, which is aligned with Iran, had carried out over 100 attacks on ships since November 2023, even sinking two vessels. However, on January 20, following the Gaza ceasefire, the Houthis declared that they would limit their attacks to vessels linked to Israel. Before this announcement, their targets included ships associated with the UK and the US and other vessels without any direct connection to the ongoing conflict.

This week, the Chrysalis successfully transited through the region for the first time since it was attacked in the Red Sea last July. The Suez Canal Authority hailed the tanker’s return as a positive sign of stability in the region, underscoring its significance in restoring confidence in the safety of shipping lanes. "The return of the tanker to transit through the Suez Canal is a strong message of reassurance regarding the positive developments towards the return of stability to the Red Sea region," said Suez Canal Authority Chairman Osama Rabie.

Ship tracking data from LSEG indicated that the Chrysalis sailed through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and continued northward through the Suez Canal. This marks a notable return to regular shipping routes after the months of disruption caused by the heightened threat from the Houthis.

In December, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi warned that the disruption of the Suez Canal due to security concerns in the Red Sea had cost Egypt approximately $7 billion in revenues for 2024. With the ceasefire holding and the triumphant return of the Chrysalis, the region may see a slow but steady return to normalcy for international shipping, bringing much-needed relief to both shipping companies and the economies reliant on this vital maritime route.