British energy company BP said it was joining other companies in suspending Red Sea transits after Yemen's Houthi rebels carried out a series of attacks.
"In view of the deteriorating security situation for shipping in the Red Sea, BP has decided to temporarily suspend all transits," the company said in a statement, AFP reported.
BP joins Italian-Swiss giant MSC, French CMA CGM and two more of the world's largest shipping companies - Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd.
Oil prices rose as a result of this decision.
International benchmark Brent crude added 1% to $77.33 a barrel. Its U.S. equivalent, West Texas Intermediate, rose 0.9 percent to $72.10 a barrel. /BGNES
