Major freight operators such as MSC and Maersk suspend routes in the Red Sea

Only a week of Christmas, This announcement may endanger freight traffic in the region Suez CanalThe region connecting the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. Suez Canal is one of them busiest routes the world they wander around every day more than 50 boats“This shows its essential role.” global goods trade according to shipping company Hapag-Lloyd.

“The recent wave of illegal attacks, Direct threat to international trade and maritime security in the Red Sea,” said the British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps, on social network merchant navy“in that area.

According to AFP, United Kingdom Following the Houthis’ warnings that they would attack ships sailing in front of the Gulf, it announced that it would send the ‘HMS Diamond’ warship to the Gulf at the end of November in order to respond to “increasing concerns” about the security of maritime trade routes in the region. the Yemen coast in response to those with ties to Israel War between Israel and Hamas Gaza Strip.

Attack on shipping companies

Many missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles have been launched in recent weeks. ruined By American and French warships patrolling the area. However, the attacks intensified at the end of this week and even directly affected the country. commercial giants.

M.S.C. An attack on the ship was reported on Friday container ship MSC PALATIUM III. although not Since he was injured and the damage to the ship was “limited”, the company decided not to transit the ship. Suez Canal “in an easterly or westward direction” “until it is safe to cross the Red Sea” in order to “protect the life and safety” of its employees.

The giant Maersk was also subjected to attacks on Friday, which caused the same reaction while its ships were passing through the strategic Bosphorus. Bab al-Mandab, According to AFP, this route has been suspended “until further notice”. If the German shipowner Hapag Lloyd Passage through the area has been temporarily suspended until at least Monday following a fire that broke out when one of the boats was struck by an “unidentified object.”

“CMA CGM Group deeply worried Due to recent attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea region. We went for the past few days increasing prevention measures To guarantee the safety of our ships and crews sailing in these waters. the situation is this worsening even more and raises security concerns. We have instructed all our container ships planned to pass through the Red Sea to reach safe areas and pause their journeys in safe waters. immediate effect Until further notice,” the French band announced this Saturday.

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Mother alternative crossing the Indian Ocean for ships wishing to avoid Suez and Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) will border the African continent to Europe. Although this route is longer, this is what MSC has developed to do with “some” services. long and expensive He said the alternative would cross the Red Sea and would affect the “schedules” of ships that would cross Suez for “a few days”.

MSC and Maersk They are the world’s first and second container operator. 25% joint fee Global market by platform Alfaliner, specializes in sea transportation. CMA CGM With this third one 12.80% Cosco follows with 10.80 percent of the market. Hapag-Lloyd ranks fifth with 7% From the market.