Oil executives called Thursday [Feb. 6] For a return to navigation through the Red Sea on the way to the Suez Canal following stop in attacks by huti rebels backed by Iran, But these companies They were cautiously Monitoring of shipping conditions and competitors.

An oil -flag oil company that was attacked last year sailed through the Red Sea [last] Week, Suez Channel said Monday, on one of the first trips since the Hutíes rebels last month said they would limit attacks on commercial ships to ships linked to Israel to the Gaza Cesefire It is completely implemented. After that, the hutis would stop pointing to the ships linked to the Israelis.

“Everyone is looking to see who is going first,” said Barbara Harrison, vice president of raw supply and trade in the largest Chevron in the United States, at an oil conference in Houston.

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The hutis have carried out more than 100 attacks against ships since November 2023 and have sunk two vessels, confiscated another and killed at least four sailors in what they say it is solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.

The intensity of the attacks interrupted the global shipment, particularly last year, and caused navigation changes, with many vessels that take long routes around the southern end of Africa and others increasing demand to pass the Panama Canal.

The commercial director of the Azerbaijan State Petroleum Company (Socar an increase in Large energy companies that sail through the Red Sea has Still being seen.

That would “give confidence” to others, he added.

“We need to see and see what the industry does in general. We have to see how the insurance market has that risk, ”said Simon James, vice president of crude oil and refinery optimization in Norway equinor.

(Georgina McCartney report in Houston; Chris Reese and Margueita Choy) edition)