Shippers remain leery of Red Sea routing

Recycled materials traders that travel long-distance ocean shipping routes have seen some of those routes lengthened by the threatening actions of militants based in Yemen, a nation that borders the Red Sea.

Two European ocean freight shipping lines have released a joint statement indicating they do not see any immediate relief on the horizon for shippers hoping for a return to shorter Suez Canal and Red Sea voyages.

Although attacks by militants have reduced in the second half of this year, the freight companies say the safety of their crews remains paramount as long as threats remain.

In a late November statement, Hamburg, Germany-based Hapag-Lloyd and Denmark-based A.P. Moller-Maersk, who formed a partnership called Gemini Cooperation this February, note they introduced routes that pass beneath Africa’s Cape of Good Hope at that time due to the ongoing disruptions in the Red Sea.

“Gemini’s ambition has always been to return to a Suez-based East-West network once security conditions in the region permit," the statement says. "However, as the safety of crew, vessels and cargo remains our top priority, we currently have no specific timing to change the Gemini East-West network to sailing through the Red Sea.”

Hapag-Lloyd and A.P. Moller-Maersk say potential progress toward a ceasefire in the Gaza region has the firms closely monitoring developments in the region and continuously conducting detailed security assessments.

“When security conditions warrant it, Hapag-Lloyd and A.P. Moller-Maersk will carefully coordinate with our respective customers and important stakeholders to ensure an orderly transfer to a Suez-based network with minimal disruption to our customers’ supply chains," the statement says.