BP halts oil shipments through Red Sea amid growing concerns over rebel attacks

18 December 2023, 13:43 | Updated: 2 January 2024, 07:48

BP has paused its shipments through the Red Sea (stock images)
BP has paused its shipments through the Red Sea (stock images). Picture: Alamy

By Emma Soteriou

BP has halted oil shipments through the Red Sea amid growing concerns over rebel attacks.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

BP said it had witnessed a "deteriorating security situation" for its shipments.

Iranian-backed Houthi militants have stepped up attacks on vessels in the Red Sea in recent days.

They are understood to be targeting ships using the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, with the pro-Hamas group seeking to disrupt ships set for Israel.

"In our trading & shipping business, as in all BP businesses, the safety and security of our people and those working on our behalf is BP's priority," BP said.

"In light of the deteriorating security situation for shipping in the Red Sea, BP has decided to temporarily pause all transits through the Red Sea.

"We will keep this precautionary pause under ongoing review, subject to circumstances as they evolve in the region."

Read more: Kick Michelle Mone out of the Lords, government minister says after baroness admits lying over PPE firm connection

Read more: 'It just breaks me': Decorated veteran living in squalid housing says he's been failed by the MoD

Several shipping firms have already paused container shipments through the area due to the surge in attacks.

Danish firm Maersk said it would suspend its activity in the region following a near miss involving one of its ships on Thursday.

Guy Platten, Secretary-general of the International Chamber of Shipping, told LBC News: “Shipping companies are evaluating the situation on an hour-by hour-basis.

"We heard on Friday and Saturday that Maersk, MSC, Hapag Lloyd amongst others have all paused traffic going through the Red Sea.

"We know others are considering their options as well and quite frankly we're deploring the actions of what's going on.

"It's flagrant breach of international law and the concern of shipping companies is going to be about their seafarers and that's why they're rapidly evaluating the situation."

It comes after a British-owned ship was previously hit by a missile in the Red Sea.

The Bahamas-flagged Unity Explorer, which is owned by a British company, was one of three commercial vessels targeted in a drone and missile assault at the start of the month.

US military Central Command said the ship sustained minor damage in the attack.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Laura Winham's "mummified and almost skeletal" remains were found by her brother in her flat in Woking, Surrey, on May 24 2021.

Family of woman whose mummified body wasn’t discovered for four years blast social services for failing to support her

The scene in Godstone after a sinkhole appeared in the small village on Monday night. Picture date: Saturday February 22, 2025.

Massive sinkhole that destroyed Surrey street ‘could take year to fix’ as residents displaced

Ukraine to ‘sign deal with US’ as Trump paves way for Zelenskyy to visit Washington.

Ukraine to ‘sign deal' with US as Trump paves way for Zelenskyy to visit Washington

Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll

Rory McIlroy breaks silence over divorce u-turn with wife Erica Stoll

Around 100 protesters gathered at Broadcasting House, the BBC’s headquarters, on Tuesday to protest against their controversial recent Gaza documentary.

'People need to lose their jobs,' says Campaign Against Antisemitism in protest outside BBC HQ over Gaza documentary

A woman has admitted committing fraud to complete UK citizenship tests on behalf of 13 applicants.

Woman who used 'array of wigs' to take UK citizenship tests admits fraud

A planetary alignment, or a planetary parade. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

Seven planets set to align over UK skies in ‘planetary parade’ this week - here’s how to spot the rare spectacle

Schoolgirl, 12, charged with manslaughter over death of 80-year-old dog walker Bhim Kohli

Teen racially abused and beat grandfather Bhim Kohli with shoe as girl, 13, laughed during fatal attack, court hears

Keir Starmer has announced a boost in UK defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP

'We have to fight for peace': PM announces biggest defence spending rise since Cold War while cutting foreign aid

Scientists have finally given the all-clear to Earth from a newly discovered asteroid.

NASA gives new update on 'city killer' asteroid 'the size of Big Ben' - good news for Earth, bad news for Moon

William met with England coach Thomas Tuchel today.

Prince William all smiles as he meets with England coach Thomas Tuchel

Exclusive
One in four teachers would not be happy to give school lunches to their own children

One in four teachers would not be happy to give school lunches to their own children, study reveals

Andrew Westwood was found guilty of 26 offences including rape and sexual assault of a child.

Sex Education actor jailed for 15 years after raping and sexually abusing young girls

shirley ballas

Man, 37, admits stalking Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas over six-year period

Exclusive
The Prince Charles Cinema  which is facing threat of closure after the cinema's landlords demanded that a break clause be added to their new lease

Chain hotels and restaurants will kill the West End warns cinema boss in fight against closure

A doctor in the DRC (File)

Mystery disease kills more than 50 people in Democratic Republic of Congo