© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Containers are seen stacked up on the container ship CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin on the port of Antwerp, Belgium September 23, 2022. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
(Reuters) -Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen have stepped up assaults on vessels within the Red Sea to point out their help for Palestinian Islamist group Hamas combating Israel in Gaza.
The assaults, aimed toward a route that permits East-West commerce, particularly of oil, to make use of the Suez Canal to save lots of the time and expense of circumnavigating Africa, prompted some delivery corporations to reroute vessels earlier in December.
Below are corporations’ reactions (in alphabetical order) to the scenario within the Red Sea:
C.H. ROBINSON
The world logistics group stated on Dec. 22 it had rerouted greater than 25 vessels across the Cape of Good Hope over the previous week, and that quantity would doubtless proceed to develop.
“Blank sailings and rate increases are expected to continue across many trades into Q1 of 2024,” it added.
CMA CGM
The French delivery group is planning a gradual enhance within the variety of vessels transiting the Suez Canal, it stated on Dec. 26. “This decision is based on an in-depth evaluation of the security landscape and our commitment to the security and safety of our seafarers,” CMA CGM stated in a press release.
The firm had beforehand rerouted a number of vessels by way of the Cape of Good Hope.
EURONAV
The Belgian oil tanker agency stated on Dec. 18 it might keep away from the Red Sea space till additional discover.
EVERGREEN
The Taiwanese container delivery line stated on Dec. 18 its vessels on regional companies to Red Sea ports would sail to protected waters close by and look ahead to additional notification, whereas ships scheduled to cross by means of the Red Sea can be rerouted across the Cape of Good Hope. It additionally briefly stopped accepting Israeli cargo.
FRONTLINE
The Norway-based oil tanker group stated on Dec. 18 that its vessels would keep away from passages by means of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
GRAM CAR CARRIERS
The Norwegian delivery firm, which specialises in pure automotive truck carriers, stated on Dec. 21 its vessels have been restricted from passing by means of the Red Sea.
HAPAG-LLOYD
The German container delivery line advised Reuters on Dec. 29 it has determined to proceed to divert its vessels across the Suez Canal for safety causes. It added {that a} subsequent evaluation can be made on Jan. 2.
A projectile believed to be a drone struck one in all its vessels crusing near the coast of Yemen on Dec. 15. No crew have been injured.
HMM
The South Korean container shipper stated on Dec. 19 it had ordered its ships from Europe that will usually use the Suez Canal to reroute by way of the Cape of Good Hope for an indefinite time period from Dec. 15.
HOEGH AUTOLINERS
The Norwegian delivery firm stated on Dec. 20 it might cease Red Sea transit after the Norwegian Maritime Authority raised its alert for the southern a part of the ocean to the very best degree.
KLAVENESS COMBINATION CARRIERS
The Norway-based fleet operator stated on Dec. 28 it was unlikely to sail any of its vessels within the Red Sea, until the scenario improves.
MAERSK
The Danish delivery group stated on Dec. 31 it was pausing se all crusing by means of the Red Sea for 48 hours, after Houthi militants attacked the container vessel Maersk Hangzhou with missiles and small boats.
On Dec. 27 it had scheduled a number of dozen container vessels to journey by way of the Suez Canal and the Red Sea within the coming days and weeks.
MSC
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) stated on Dec. 16 its ships wouldn’t transit by means of the Suez Canal, with some already rerouted by way of the Cape of Good Hope, a day after two ballistic missiles have been fired at its vessel.
OCEAN NETWORK EXPRESS
Ocean Network Express (ONE), a three way partnership of Japan’s Mitsui O.S.Okay. Lines, Nippon Yusen and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, stated on Dec. 19 it might reroute vessels away from the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. Instead, its ships will navigate across the Cape of Good Hope or briefly pause their journey and transfer to protected areas.
OOCL
The Hong Kong-headquartered container group stated on Dec. 21 it had guided its vessels to both divert route or droop crusing to the Red Sea. The firm, owned by Orient Overseas (International) Ltd, has additionally stopped cargo acceptance to and from Israel till additional discover.
O.S.Okay. Lines, Nippon Yusen
Japan’s largest delivery corporations stated their vessels with hyperlinks to Israel have been avoiding the Red Sea space. Both corporations additionally stated they have been monitoring the scenario.
WALLENIUS WILHELMSEN
The Norwegian delivery group stated on Dec. 19 it might halt Red Sea transits till additional discover. Rerouting vessels by way of the Cape of Good Hope will add 1-2 weeks to voyage durations, it stated.
YANG MING MARINE TRANSPORT
The Taiwanese container delivery firm stated on Dec. 18 it might divert ships crusing by means of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden by way of the Cape of Good Hope for the following two weeks.
