FRANKFURT, Germany - Maersk, one of the world's largest shipping firms, has announced its plans to allow vessels to resume sailing through the Red Sea. This decision comes as a U.S.-led multinational naval operation, known as Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG), has been set up to protect shipping from attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The Houthi attacks on commercial ships have caused significant disruptions in the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, which are vital trade routes for oil, natural gas, grain, and consumer goods between Europe and Asia. Recognizing the importance of maritime commerce in the region, Maersk has expressed its commitment to work with OPG to restore the flow of trade between Asia and Europe.

In a statement released on Sunday, Maersk confirmed the deployment of OPG and expressed its readiness to recommence the use of the Suez Canal as a gateway for trade. The company stated, "We have received confirmation that OPG has now been set up and deployed to allow maritime commerce to pass through the Red Sea-Gulf of Aden and once again return to using the Suez Canal."

Maersk is currently working on plans for the first vessels to undertake the journey, aiming for it to happen as soon as operationally possible. The resumption of shipping activities through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal is expected to alleviate the additional costs and delays in fuel and insurance that have been incurred due to rerouting vessels through the Cape of Good Hope.

Houthi rebels, who have received support from Iran, have been targeting ships in the region since seizing Yemen's capital, Sanaa, in 2014. The frequency of attacks has increased significantly during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The rebels have expanded their threats to include any vessel they suspect of being linked to Israel, leading to attacks on container ships and oil tankers flagged to countries such as Norway and Liberia.

To counter these attacks, the U.S. warship successfully shot down four drones on Saturday that were believed to originate from Houthi-controlled areas. Additionally, a Norwegian-flagged chemicals and oil tanker narrowly escaped an attack drone, while an India-flagged tanker was hit but reported no injuries. These incidents mark the 14th and 15th attacks on commercial shipping conducted by the Houthi rebels since October 17, according to the U.S. Central Command.

The multinational naval operation, OPG, aims to provide a safe passage for maritime commerce through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, ensuring the resumption of trade between Asia and Europe. With Maersk's announcement and the deployment of OPG, it is expected that shipping activities in the region will soon return to normal, benefiting both the global economy and the affected nations.