London, February 26 (QNA) - The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said that most UK exporters and manufacturers have felt an impact from disruption in the Red Sea, the latest of which was the Houthis' launch of an Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM), likely targeting the MV Torm Thor, an US oil chemical tanker flying the US flag in the Gulf of Aden on Feb. 24.

The BCC said 55% of exporters reported disruption, as did 53% of manufacturers and business-to-consumer services firms, a category that includes retailers and wholesalers. Across all businesses, 37% reported an impact.

Some businesses reported container hire costs had quadrupled, while others faced delivery delays of three to four weeks, as well as cashflow difficulties and shortages of parts.

The S&P Purchasing Managers' Index showed UK businesses' costs rose at the fastest rate in six months in February. Higher freight costs related to Red Sea disruption were cited by many manufacturers, but rising wage bills were a bigger factor for most.

Since Jan. 12, US and UK forces have launched several waves of strikes on Houthi sites in Yemen, and the US army alone carries out strikes from time to time on missiles that says "prepared for launch." (QNA)