The world’s top three container operators said they fear instability in Gaza and broader regional tensions mean continued danger.

The world’s top three container shippers, MSC Mediterranean Shipping, A.P. Møller-Maersk (OTCPK:AMKBY) (OTCPK:AMKBF) and CMA CGM, have said in recent days they will not send vessels back to the Red Sea despite a pledge by Houthi militants in Yemen not to attack them as long as a ceasefire in Gaza holds.

Mandeb strait decreased by 50% after the Yemeni rebels launched maritime attacks, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

CMA CGM, the French container line that has continued to transit the Red Sea despite attacks on shipping, said it will continue to route most of its affected services away from the region.

French shipping and logistics group CMA CGM will continue to avoid the Red Sea even though it considers the region is more stable following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, it said on Saturday.

Shipping companies expressed caution about using the shorter route between Asia and Europe that many ships have avoided for more than a year.

European forces joined the US Navy last year in an effort to defend key shipping lanes from Houthi rebel attacks.

Ships not linked to Israel could begin returning to the Red Sea in as little as two weeks, DP World's deputy chief executive said, adding that could see freight prices "come crashing down".

An American destroyer, USS Spruance, shot down six missiles and seven drones during a recent Red Sea combat deployment.

U.S. Navy destroyers and cruisers needing to leave the ongoing battle against Iran-backed Houthi rebel missile and drone barrages in the Red Sea to reload their Mk 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) missile cells are causing a presence gap and “a real challenge,

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement has released the crew of a cargo ship more than a year after its fighters hijacked the vessel in the Red Sea, as part of its campaign of attacks in support of Hamas in its war against Israel.

French shipping and logistics group CMA CGM will continue to avoid the Red Sea even though it considers the region is more stable following the ceasefire agreem