In the past, such delays tended to be related to maintenance work, and, as such, were mostly short-lived, but there is little relief in sight in the months ahead.
The Houthis have promised to target Israel over its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, declaring themselves part of an "axis of resistance" of Iran-affiliated groups.
The incident is the latest in a string of attacks since Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen issued a threat to target ships until Israel’s military operation against Hamas ends.
While the impact of the Israel-Hamas war has been contained so far, markets have been wary that the fighting will draw in other nations in the region, particularly Iran.
The mine-sweeping force wouldn’t be considered a NATO operation but would be the first major combined action of Black Sea allies since President Vladimir Putin ordered the war on Ukraine.