Ikea warns of product delays due to Houthi rebel attacks on ships in Red Sea

Ikea is the latest major company whose operations have been impacted by the series of attacks on trade vessels in the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. 

Inter Ikea Group told FOX Business in a statement that the situation in the Suez Canal – which connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea – will result in “delays and may cause availability constraints for certain Ikea products.” 

The Suez Canal is the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia. It is estimated that about 15% of world shipping traffic transits via the waterway. 

The furniture giant is now being forced to evaluate “other supply options to secure the availability of our products” while it monitors the situation closely. 

BP PAUSES OIL TANKER TRAFFIC THROUGH RED SEA AMID HOUTHI REBEL ATTACKS

In the meantime, the company said it has been in “close dialogue with our transportation partners to ensure the safety of people working in the IKEA value chain and to take all the necessary precautions to keep them safe.”

The Houthis have been attacking cargo ships in an attempt to disrupt trade in the region and effectively halt Israel’s war against Hamas, which began on October 7.

The Houthi attacks originating from Yemen prompted the U.S. and its allies to discuss a task force that would protect Red Sea routes. On Monday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the formation of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational security initiative that he said will focus on security in the Red Sea.

VESSELS AVOIDING RED SEA AMID ONGOING HOUTHI REBEL ATTACKS, ADDING COSTS AND DELAYS

The Navy’s USS Carney and USS Mason have already shot down multiple Houthi drones and deterred fast-attack vessels from approaching trading ships.

Still, global trade disruptions have arisen following the exodus of shipping companies from the Red Sea.

Major shippers including Maersk, which had a vessel targeted by anti-ship missiles last week, and BP said they are rerouting their vessels around the southern tip of Africa instead. 

Hapag-Lloyd, MSC and French shipping group CMA CGM also halted their operations in the area and are rerouting their ships. 

FOX Business’ Anders Hagstrom, Bradford Betz and Breck Dumas contributed to this report.