Shipping sources: Iran-backed Houthis seize a number of ships in Hodeidah port

Shipping documents and sources revealed that the Iran-backed Houthis are detaining a number of cargo ships in the port of Hodeidah, some of which have been detained for more than 8 years, using decisions issued by the Commercial Court under their control.

The sources told Khabar Agency that the Houthis seized a ship days after unloading its cargo, in the port of Hodeidah, western Yemen.

Data from the Red Sea Corporation, which operates the ports of Hodeidah, showed that the Houthis have been seizing a ship called RINA, belonging to the Saba International Shipping Company, since the fourth of this month.

The ship had arrived at the port of Hodeidah more than 20 days ago, and unloaded its cargo two weeks after its arrival, with 5,771 tons of iron on board.

However, the Houthis claim that the ship is being hold in the port draught after unloading due to a court order.

The Houthis are detaining a number of ships that deal with the ports of Hodeidah during the last period, as thet resort to imposing heavy fines on cargo ships arriving at the port under different names, through their long arm, the "judiciary", which they use to legitimize new extortion that amounts to "piracy".

The Houthis, through the Commercial Court, sold at least two ships that were "sold as scrap", due to the financial fines imposed on these ships under allegations of debts or delay fees. The sources said.

According to the sources, the number of ships detained by the Houthis on the background of deliberately imposed fines in the port of Hodeidah rose to four ships at one time, while one ship called "Starlet" remained and has been detained for more than 8 years.

The documents showed that the Houthis, through the so-called Board of Grievances, a Houthi entity headed by the influential leader Ahmed Hamed, directed the Hodeidah port administration to detain a ship called "Namaron", or any tanker belonging to the owners and tenants of this ship.

Shipping sources said that since February 2015, the Houthis have been holding the fuel ship "Starlet" in the port of Hodeidah, according to a lawsuit filed by the Yemeni Oil Company branch in the governate.

According to the sources, among the ships detained in the port of Hodeidah (Atlas), which was affiliated with the Saba International Shipping Company before it was sold to a new owner affiliated with the Houthis.

Houthi piracy makes maritime transport companies face the risks of doubling marine insurance fees on navigation traffic, which will have negative effects on the prices of commodities, foodstuffs and consumer goods.