Chinese state-owned shipping firm COSCO has become the latest company to suspend its routes to Israel through the Red Sea due to the threat of Houthi attacks, it has been reported.

The Yemen-based Houthis have launched a series of anti-ship ballistic missiles towards Red Sea shipping lanes which they say is in response to Israel’s military offensive against Hamas.

The tensions in the region have already prompted Danish shipping company Maersk to suspend its passage through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Other shipping firms, including Hapag-Lloyd, Evergreen Line and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, have also stopped their routes through the waters.