Ships would be rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, at the tip of South Africa.
Due to the uncertain situation in the Red Sea, Germany's largest container shipping company, Hapag-Lloyd, continues to avoid the maritime area in the Middle East. Ships would continue to be rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope at the tip of South Africa, a company spokesman said Wednesday upon request. Hapag-Lloyd is constantly monitoring the situation and wants to make another decision on Friday.
The Hamburg-based company recently announced that it would reroute around 25 ships that were planned for the Red Sea and Suez Canal by the end of the year. Danish rival Maersk has now announced that it will soon return to using the route, taking into account the measures announced to guarantee maritime routes in the Red Sea. In the coming weeks alone, several dozen container ships are expected to use the faster route through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, Maersk said.
However, this plan is still subject to reservations. Among the ships listed in information to the group's customers this Wednesday was the Maren Maersk, which left the port of Tangier, in Morocco, on December 24 and, therefore, will continue through the Suez Canal. The ship is scheduled to arrive in Singapore on January 14.
Houthi rebels attack merchant ships
In Yemen, Houthi rebels have declared solidarity with radical Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip and have repeatedly attacked ships off the coast they control. A Hapag-Lloyd ship was also attacked on December 15. The fifth largest container shipping company in the world has announced surcharges for transport on its ships to and from the Middle East. Maersk charges additional fees for rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope, which is off the coast of South Africa.
Meanwhile, under US leadership, the OPG multinational security initiative was launched, which aims to once again allow maritime trade through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Joint patrols are planned in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. According to information from the US, a total of more than 20 countries have agreed to participate in the coalition to protect merchant shipping in the Red Sea. (APA/Portal)