KONTAN.CO.ID - COPENHAGEN - Container shipping giant Maersk MAERSKb.CO is diverting all vessels from Red Sea routes around Africa's Cape of Good Hope for the foreseeable future, it said on Friday, warning customers to prepare for significant disruption. Shippers across the world are switching away from the Red Sea - and so the shortest route from Asia to Europe via the Suez Canal - after Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen stepped up attacks on vessels in the Gulf region to show their support for Palestinian Islamist group Hamas fighting Israel in Gaza. The trip around Africa can add about 10 days to journey times and requires more fuel and crew time, jacking up shipping costs.
Maersk Warns of Major Disruption as it Diverts Ships Away From Red Sea
KONTAN.CO.ID - COPENHAGEN - Container shipping giant Maersk MAERSKb.CO is diverting all vessels from Red Sea routes around Africa's Cape of Good Hope for the foreseeable future, it said on Friday, warning customers to prepare for significant disruption. Shippers across the world are switching away from the Red Sea - and so the shortest route from Asia to Europe via the Suez Canal - after Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen stepped up attacks on vessels in the Gulf region to show their support for Palestinian Islamist group Hamas fighting Israel in Gaza. The trip around Africa can add about 10 days to journey times and requires more fuel and crew time, jacking up shipping costs.