Maersk-Chesapeake

The US arm of AP Moller-Maersk has suspended voyages through the Red Sea after two of its container ships came under missile attack while being escorted by the US Navy on Jan 24, 2024. The 'Maersk Detroit' and the 'Maersk Chesapeake' turned around in the Red Sea and were escorted back to the Gulf of Aden, said the company. Three anti-ship ballistic missiles were fired toward the 'Maersk Detroit'. One missile hit the sea, while the warship USS 'Gravely' shot down two others. Both ships were carrying cargo and aid for the US government and were given protection by the navy for the passage through the Bab El-Mandeb strait, said subsidiary Maersk Line Ltd., for which the US military is a major customer on its US-flag ships. Both ships reported seeing explosions close by and the US Navy accompaniment also intercepted multiple projectiles. The crew, ship and cargo were safe and unharmed. The US Navy has turned both ships around and escorted them back to the Gulf of Aden. Maersk Line Ltd. suspended transits in the region until further notice because of the escalation of risk. The attack happened 50 nautical miles south of Al Mukha, Yemen. The vessel was targeted by a drone.