Despite a ceasefire in Gaza and assurances from Yemen's Houthi rebels to scale back attacks on international vessels in the Red Sea, major shipping companies remain hesitant to resume using the Suez Canal due to ongoing security concerns.

British and American ships are tentatively returning to the Red Sea after Yemen’s Houthi rebels vowed to hold off attacks on vessels linked to both nations, a sign that traffic on one of the world’s main trade routes could normalize after more than a year of disruption.

U.S. ships are returning to the Red Sea following promises from Yemen’s Houthi rebels to abstain from attacks on American and British vessels. The pledge, which comes after more than a year of shipping traffic disruption on a major international trade route,

The world’s top three container shippers, MSC Mediterranean Shipping, A.P. Møller-Maersk (OTCPK:AMKBY) (OTCPK:AMKBF) and CMA CGM, have said in recent days they will not send vessels back to the Red Sea despite a pledge by Houthi militants in Yemen not to attack them as long as a ceasefire in Gaza holds.

The world’s top three container operators said they fear instability in Gaza and broader regional tensions mean continued danger.

Mandeb strait decreased by 50% after the Yemeni rebels launched maritime attacks, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

Shipping companies expressed caution about using the shorter route between Asia and Europe that many ships have avoided for more than a year.