Posted on:
Shipping companies no longer sail through Red Sea
Major shipping companies are avoiding the Red Sea for fear of attacks by Houthi rebels. This decision has significant consequences as the Suez Canal, the main transit route between Europe and Asia, can only be accessed via the Red Sea.
In recent days, several container ships have been attacked from Yemen. On Thursday, Houthi rebels fired a missile at the Maersk Gibraltar as it sailed off the coast of Yemen en route to Israel. A day later, a Hapag ship was hit by a projectile believed to be a drone, and a U.S. Navy vessel took down 14 more drones.
Major shipping companies then announced they would no longer sail through the Red Sea. Maersk is deeply concerned about the highly escalated security situation in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. "The recent attacks on commercial vessels in the area are alarming and pose a significant threat to the safety and security of mariners."
The alternative to the Suez Canal is to sail around the African continent via the Cape of Good Hope. However, this route is 10 days longer. It is not known what will happen to the ships now in the Red Sea. Possibly, they will remain in the Red Sea or be escorted by a naval vessel. Shipping companies are doing all they can to minimize the impact on their customers.
Do you have questions or would you like to receive more information? Then please contact your Jordex contact.
:quality(80))
:quality(80))
:quality(80))
:quality(80))
:quality(80))
:quality(80))
:quality(80))
:quality(80))