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Shipping company Torm, owner of the oil products tanker Torm Innovation, announced the rerouting of the vessel away from the southern part of the Red Sea due to the 'security situation' in the region, according to the company's statement to CNN on Friday.

The Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait are among the most important global shipping lanes, through which a large portion of international trade between Asia and Europe passes.

A company spokesperson said the vessel is currently sailing through the Suez Canal and then around the Cape of Good Hope on its way to Asia, due to security conditions in the southern Red Sea.

He added: 'This decision reflects our cautious approach to ensuring the safety of crew members.'

Yemen's Houthis, whose movement is backed by Iran, had issued warnings to disrupt navigation through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the vital waterway at the southern end of the Red Sea, prompting some ships to change course, although traffic through the strait continues.

Data from vessel tracking platform MarineTraffic showed that 49 ships passed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Thursday, a 16% increase from the previous day, of which 24 entered the Red Sea and 25 departed.

Torm explained on Friday that it had stopped its ships from transiting the southern Red Sea since January 2024, but a number of its vessels did cross the area this summer after conducting thorough assessments for each voyage.

The company spokesperson said: 'The safety of our seafarers remains our top priority, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely.'

This decision comes amid escalating tensions in the region due to Houthi threats, which aim to destabilize navigation security in one of the busiest waterways. The rerouting reflects the caution shipping companies are taking to protect their crews and vessels. Although some ships continue to cross, any escalation could further disrupt global supply chains. Companies are expected to closely monitor the situation before making future decisions on alternative routes.