President Trump Orders to Destroy Houthi Terrorists and Protect International Trade - Perspectives for the Maritime Industry

More than a year has passed since a U.S.-flagged commercial vessel last sailed safely through the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, or the Gulf of Aden without the looming threat of Houthi attacks. The United States is now reaffirming its commitment to securing international shipping routes and ensuring that terrorist organizations do not dictate the flow of global commerce.

Former President Donald Trump issued a stark warning on his Truth Social platform, emphasizing the urgency of neutralizing the Houthi threat:

“To all Houthi terrorists, YOUR TIME IS UP, AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY. IF THEY DON’T, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE!”

The Houthis, backed by Iran, claim to be targeting international shipping in support of Palestinians and Hamas. However, their attacks have significantly disrupted global trade and directly threatened the economic stability of the United States and its allies.

Escalating Shipping Disruptions

Houthi assaults on commercial vessels since 2023 have caused unprecedented disruptions in global supply chains. A 2024 Defense Intelligence Agency report detailed the sharp decline in Red Sea container shipping due to these attacks.

Before the attacks began, approximately 25,000 merchant vessels transited the Red Sea annually. That number has now plummeted to around 10,000 ships, forcing rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope-a detour that adds up to ten days per voyage and costs an additional $1 million in fuel per trip.

The consequences have been severe:

• U.S. imports and exports: Consumer goods, automobiles, and agricultural products destined for or departing from the United States have faced significant delays and increased transportation costs.

• Maritime security concerns: The Houthis have seized commercial vessels, most notably the M/V Galaxy Leader in November 2023, and launched sustained attacks using anti-ship missiles and drone swarms.

• Global inflation: Rising shipping costs have contributed to inflation, with estimates suggesting a 0.6 to 0.7 percent increase in consumer goods prices worldwide.

Impact on Global Trade and Key Allies

The Red Sea is a crucial artery for international trade, particularly between Europe and Asia. Prior to the attacks, around 95% of ships navigating between these two continents utilized the Red Sea as their primary route.

• European trade disruption: Five of the top ten importers (by value) of goods passing through the Red Sea are EU nations, and approximately 60% of EU-affiliated ships have been forced to reroute.

• Strategic military targets: Since 2023, the Houthis have targeted U.S. warships 174 times and commercial vessels 145 times, posing an ongoing security threat to the region.

A Timeline of Escalating Attacks

2023

✍️ October 19: The USS Carney intercepted multiple Houthi-launched missiles that posed a direct threat to U.S. forces.

✍️ November 19: The Houthis seized the M/V Galaxy Leader, taking its multinational crew hostage for over a year.

✍️ December 3: Houthi forces launched missiles and drones targeting three commercial ships; the USS Carney successfully intercepted three drones.

✍️ December 16: The USS Carney engaged and destroyed 14 incoming Houthi drones in the southern Red Sea.

✍️ December 26: The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and USS Gravely responded to distress calls from the Maersk Hangzhou, sinking three Houthi boats.

✍️ December 30: The USS Gravely intercepted and neutralized Houthi-fired anti-ship ballistic missiles.

2024

✍️ January 10: A large-scale Houthi missile and drone attack against U.S. and UK naval forces was successfully repelled.

✍️ January 15: A U.S.-owned vessel, the M/V Gibraltar Eagle, was struck by a Houthi missile, causing damage.

✍️ January 17: The cargo ship Genco Picardy was attacked by drones in the Gulf of Aden.

✍️ January 26: The British-linked oil tanker Marlin Luanda was struck by Houthi missiles, resulting in an onboard fire.

✍️ August 21: The Greek-flagged oil tanker M/V Sounion was attacked, threatening a catastrophic oil spill.

✍️ September 27: The USS Spruance, USS Stockdale, and USS Indianapolis intercepted a massive Houthi missile and drone assault in the Red Sea.

✍️ November 11: Houthi forces launched a coordinated attack on the USS Spruance and USS Stockdale in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait; all threats were neutralized.

✍️ December 1: The USS Stockdale and USS O’Kane intercepted multiple Houthi-launched missiles and drones while escorting U.S. merchant vessels in the Gulf of Aden.

✍️ December 9–10: The USS Stockdale and USS O’Kane faced another wave of Houthi assaults while protecting commercial ships, again neutralizing all threats.

A Bird’s-Eye View of the Maritime Industry After Trump’s Order

With President Trump’s directive to destroy Houthi terrorists and restore the freedom of navigation, the maritime industry anticipates significant shifts:

• Increased military presence: The United States is expected to expand its naval deployment in the region, reinforcing security for commercial vessels and deterring further Houthi aggression.

• Restoration of key shipping routes: If successful, the initiative will allow Red Sea shipping lanes to return to pre-2023 traffic levels, reducing costs and delays for global trade.

• Economic recovery: Lower shipping costs will help stabilize inflation, benefiting both businesses and consumers worldwide.

• Allied cooperation: European nations and global shipping conglomerates may bolster their naval cooperation with the U.S. to ensure a secure Red Sea passage.

Trump’s order marks a critical moment in global maritime security. Whether this intervention will successfully neutralize the Houthi threat remains to be seen, but for now, the U.S. is sending a clear message: the world’s waterways will not be held hostage by terrorism.