How are Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea affecting global trade?

By COURTNEY BONNELL and DAVID McHUGH
AP Business Writers

LONDON (AP) — Yemen’s Houthi rebels have been attacking ships in the Red Sea, one of the world’s major trade arteries. Attacks have increased since the Israel-Hamas war broke out in October, and Israeli-linked vessels have been targeted. But recent missile strikes have hit vessels without any obvious Israeli ties, raising concerns about widening risks. On Friday Maersk, the world’s biggest shipping company, said that it’s instructed all of its vessels due to pass through a maritime chokepoint in the southern Red Sea to “pause their journey until further notice.” German-based shipper Hapag-Lloyd that was operating a vessel attacked Friday also said it was pausing all its container ship traffic through the Red Sea until Monday.