Israel and Hamas announced a ceasefire on Wednesday, leading to speculation that the Yemen-based Houthis — who began attacking commercial ships in late 2023 ostensibly in retaliation for Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip — might call off the broadsides for good.

Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire, raising questions as to when major container lines will return to the Red Sea.

Comments by Frontline Management's chief executive Lars Barstad reflect scepticism in shipping circles about improved safety conditions off Yemen

Container lines are likely to wait and see what happens to other vessels returning to the Red Sea before making any decisions themselves.

The countdown to a return of shipping to the Red Sea could soon begin, with the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement due to take effect from Sunday, Jefferies analyst Omar Nokta said. Houthi rebels began attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea in response to Israel's Gaza offensive,

A.P. Moller-Maersk expressed caution about any fast return to shipping through the Red Sea, after the Yemen-based Houthis signaled a pause in their attacks on commercial vessels.

The deal kicked in at 8:15 am Gaza time on Sunday, nearly three hours after it was scheduled to come into effect.

Houthi, said the Iran-aligned group will monitor the implementation of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas and will continue its attacks on ships in the Red Sea if it is breached. The Houthis have carried out more than 100 attacks on ships since November 2023 and have sunk two vessels,

Ceasefire in Gaza that was expected to begin today hit delays, possibly stalling the hostage release; the Israeli military continued attacks

Hapag-Lloyd reiterated it will return to the Red Sea "when it is sufficiently safe to do so," while Maersk said it was too early to speculate.

Maritime security officials said on Thursday they were expecting Yemen's Houthi militia to announce a halt in attacks on ships in the Red Sea, after a ceasefire deal in the war in Gaza between Israel and the militant group Hamas.