A freight train runs on rails of a railway link of the Crimean Bridge connecting the Russian mainland and the Crimean peninsula over the Kerch Strait not far from Kerch, Crimea, on Monday, July 17, 2023. (AP)

The demand for transporting goods from Asia to Europe by rail through Russia has risen by an average of 30% since the beginning of the Yemeni operations in the Red Sea against Israeli ships and ships headed to the ports of occupied Palestine, the Financial Times newspaper reported, citing logistics companies and rail operators.

German shipping company DHL revealed that requests to transport goods on Russian railways have increased by 40% since container ships started opting for substitute routes following the initiation of the Red Sea operations, the report announced on March 10.

Simultaneously, Netherlands-based Rail Bridge Cargo stated that rail freight traffic through Russia has increased by 31% in comparison to the same period in 2023, it added.

The Financial Times further reported that the transport of goods from China to Northern Europe through alternative sea routes has risen from 7-10 days to 50-55 days, however, transporting goods by train via Russia from China’s Chengdu to the German city of Duisburg only requires about 30 days.

According to the report, some logistics companies also seemingly offer a "southern route" that dodges Russia and goes through Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. This route, which includes a ferry crossing across the Caspian Sea, however, requires more delivery time than a container ship trip between China and Europe and is majorly utilized for transporting goods from Central Asian countries like Uzbekistan.

Yemen attacks US vessels, and warships using dozens of drones, missiles

The Yemeni Armed Forces announced on March 9 two significant operations in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in what was described as the largest Yemeni attack in months.

The Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree revealed that the first operation was conducted by Yemen's Navy and targeted the US Propel Fortune bulk carrier in the Gulf of Aden using "appropriate" naval missiles.

The second operation was carried out using 37 drones, attacking US warships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, Saree added, reiterating that the operations came in support of Gaza and in response to the aggressions on Yemen carried out by the United States and the UK.

"The two operations achieved their objectives successfully," Saree said.

Concluding his statement, Saree reaffirmed that the Yemeni operations would not cease until the Israeli aggression on Gaza stops and the blockade on the Palestinian people is lifted.

The Yemeni army has been escalating its operations recently amid the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza, which has so far killed at least 31,000 Palestinians, over 72% of whom are children and women. Additionally, the Israeli systemic starvation policy via the imposed siege and blockade of aid to the Strip continues to claim the lives of many Palestinians, mostly children, dying of malnutrition and dehydration.