NPR.

This is the indicator for Planet Money, I'm Adrian Ma.

And I'm Whelan Wong.

For the past six weeks, there's been increasing tension along one of the global economy's major supply routes, the Red Sea.

Huthi rebels in Yemen have been attacking commercial ships in the area,

stating solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

In response, the U.S. military has organized a coalition of 20-some countries to protect ships

traveling through the Red Sea.

Things escalated this weekend.

U.S. Navy helicopters fired on and killed Huthi fighters who were trying to board a container ship.

The U.S military says the Huthis are backed by Iran.

And now Iran is sent a warship to the Red Sea according to Iranian state media.

Today on the show we look at this growing threat to the region and what it means for

global supply chains that are already under pressure. The Red Sea is a narrow strip of water with Egypt and Sudan to the west and Saudi Arabia and Yemen to the east

and the waterway is a crucial piece of the global supply chain.

Between 10 to 15 percent of the world's shipping goes through this area.

This includes oil tankers and massive container ships transporting everything from

microchips to furniture.

And on the northern end of the Red Sea is the Suez Canal, which is the most direct

sea route for trade between Europe and Asia.

It's a long day.

It takes you all day to go through the Suez.

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