Shipping giant Maersk to avoid Red Sea routes for ‘foreseeable future’
Al Jazeera
Due to ‘volatile’ situation amid Houthi attacks, ships will go around Africa, increasing journey times and costs.
Container shipping giant Maersk has announced it will divert all vessels around Africa instead of using the Red Sea and the Suez Canal for the “foreseeable future”.
Maersk said on Friday that the decision was due to the volatile situation in the Red Sea as Yemen’s Houthis continue to attack vessels that pass through the busy waterway.
“We have therefore decided that all Maersk vessels due to transit the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden will be diverted south around the Cape of Good Hope for the foreseeable future,” the Danish company said.
The trip around Africa can add about 10 days to journey times and requires more fuel and crew time, increasing shipping costs.
“The situation is constantly evolving and remains highly volatile, and all available intelligence at hand confirms that the security risk continues to be at a significantly elevated level,” Maersk added.
