US military helps reroute 115 commercial vessels to avoid Red Sea danger zone

The U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) stated today that since the resumption of the maritime blockade on July 14, the U.S. military has assisted in rerouting 115 commercial vessels to prevent them from entering operational waters deemed high-risk. This action is part of the "escort and blockade" mission conducted by the U.S. military in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, aimed at reducing threats to American and allied shipping.

Established in 1983, USCENTCOM is responsible for military operations in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Central and South Asia. It has long served as the primary U.S. command unit in the Gulf War, as well as the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. The current commander is Admiral Brad Cooper, who has served in multiple high-level defense positions and is the former commander under two recent U.S. Secretaries of Defense. CENTCOM not only commands multi-domain resources across land, sea, and air, but is also responsible for maritime security and the protection of shipping lanes within the region.

Since the beginning of this year, Houthi rebels have frequently deployed naval mines and anti-ship missiles targeting shipping routes supporting Israel, leading to a decline in a sense of security among international shipping companies regarding the Red Sea route. Following cooperation with multiple navies, the United States announced the reinstatement of the "maritime blockade" policy on July 14, restricting unauthorized vessels from entering operational zones near the Yemeni coastline. To balance military objectives with commercial shipping demands, the U.S. military has issued rerouting instructions to shipowners through the maritime command center, guiding vessels toward the Gulf of Oman or other safe shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean, accumulating a total of 115 vessel movements to date.

International shipping operators have reacted with mixed responses. Large shipping companies noted that while rerouting reduces the risk of being struck, it also increases voyage distances and fuel costs, placing an additional burden on global supply chains. Regional countries such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt have expressed support, believing that the U.S. blockade and rerouting measures help stabilize energy exports and trade flows. On the other hand, some human rights and international law scholars have warned that a prolonged maritime blockade could involve legal disputes regarding freedom of navigation, calling on relevant parties to enhance transparency and multilateral consultation.

For Taiwan, the Red Sea is an important maritime route for exporting energy and high-tech components. If the U.S. military's vessel rerouting policy continues, it may force Taiwanese companies to adjust their logistics routes, increasing transportation time and costs, thereby affecting supply chain resilience. More broadly, this blockade demonstrates the depth of U.S. intervention in critical maritime chokepoints, serving as a reminder that Taiwan needs to focus on changes in distant strategic waters during risk assessments of maritime security and energy supply, and consider diversified shipping lanes and backup options to mitigate the impact of external conflicts on trade.