((Automated translation by Reuters, please see disclaimer https://bit.ly/rtrsauto))
(Adds latest information from Hapag-Lloyd)
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants have stepped up attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, undermining a vital sea route for trade between East and West.
In response, some shipping companies have directed their ships to bypass southern Africa, a slower and therefore more expensive route.
The United States and Britain launched dozens of airstrikes against Houthi military targets on the night of January 11–12, escalating the regional conflict stemming from Israel’s war in Gaza.
Below are the actions taken by the companies (in alphabetical order):
CH ROBINSON CHRW.O
The global logistics group said Dec. 22 that it had rerouted more than 25 ships around Africa in the previous week, and that number was likely to rise.
“Blank departures and fare increases are expected to continue on many traffics until the first quarter of 2024,” he added.
CMA CGM
The French shipping company said on January 5 that it had not changed its plans announced in December to gradually increase the number of ships transiting the Suez Canal.
She had previously rerouted several ships via the Cape of Good Hope.
EURONAV EUAV.BR
The Belgian oil shipping company said on December 18 that it would avoid the Red Sea until further notice.
EVERGREEN 2603.TW
Taiwan’s container shipping company said on Dec. 18 that its ships providing regional services to Red Sea ports would sail to nearby safe waters, while ships needing to pass through the Red Sea would be rerouted around the ‘Africa. The company also temporarily stopped accepting Israeli cargo.
FRONTLINE FRO.OL
On December 18, the Norwegian oil group said its ships would avoid the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
GRAM CAR CARRIERS GCC.OL
The Norwegian car carrier said on December 21 that its ships could not pass through the Red Sea.
HAFNIA HAFNI.OL
The Norwegian shipping company said on January 12 that it had stopped all ships heading to or within the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
HAPAG-LLOYD HLAG.DE
The German container shipping company said on January 22 that it would continue to route its ships around Africa until further notice.
The company also said it was establishing land corridors between Jebel Ali, Dammam and Jubail for its sea shuttle service from Jeddah to mitigate the impact on its operations.
HMM 011200.KS
The South Korean container shipper said Dec. 19 that it had ordered its ships that would normally use the Suez Canal to reroute around Africa.
HOEGH AUTOLINERS HAUTO.OL
The Norwegian car carrier said on December 20 that it would stop using the site to pass through the Red Sea.
KLAVENESS COMBINATION CARRIER KCCK.OL
The Norway-based fleet operator said on December 28 that it was unlikely to sail any of its vessels into the Red Sea unless the situation improved.
KUEHNE + NAGEL KNIN.S
“Even if, starting today, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait becomes safe and secure for transit, we anticipate that it will be at least two months before ships can resume their normal rotations,” said Michael Aldwell, executive vice president for maritime logistics at the Swiss logistics company, at , January 12.
MAERSK MAERSKb.CO
On January 5, the Danish shipping group suspended traffic in the Red Sea “for the foreseeable future.”
On January 18, Maersk said disruptions in the Red Sea and winter weather conditions were causing congestion at container terminals, and urged customers to collect their units as soon as possible. The company has also started offering its customers the option of transferring certain goods from ships to air cargo at ports in Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
A day earlier, its chief executive told the address that disruptions to global shipping linked to the Red Sea would likely last at least a few months.
After the US-British airstrikes, Maersk said it hoped international interventions and a greater naval presence in the region would eventually lead to a resumption of maritime trade in the strait.
On January 16, it sent two container ships to the Red Sea carrying goods for the U.S. military and government.
MSC
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) said on December 16 that its ships would not transit through the Suez Canal.
NIPPON YUSEN 9101.T
Japan’s largest carrier by revenue has suspended navigation in the Red Sea for all ships it operates, a spokesperson told Reuters on January 16. It also asked ships near the Red Sea to wait in safe waters and is considering changing routes.
OCEAN NETWORK EXPRESS
Ocean Network Express, a joint venture between Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha 9107.T, Mitsui OSK Lines 9104.T and Nippon Yusen, said on Dec. 19 that it would reroute ships from the Red Sea to the Cape of Good Hope or she would temporarily halt journeys and move to safe areas.
OOCL
The Hong Kong-based container shipping group said on December 21 that it had asked its ships to divert their Red Sea route or suspend their navigation. It has also stopped accepting shipments to and from Israel until further notice.
TORM TRMDa.CO
The Danish oil group said on January 12 that it had decided to halt all transits in the southern Red Sea for the time being.
WALLENIUS WILHELMSEN WAWI.OL
The Norwegian shipping group said on December 19 that it was halting transits in the Red Sea until further notice.
YANG MING MARINE TRANSPORT 2609.TW
The Taiwanese container shipping company said on December 18 that it would divert ships crossing the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden via the Cape of Good Hope for the next two weeks.