Maersk will divert vessels to Cape of Good Hope to avoid Red Sea
Danish shipping giant Maersk announced Friday that it will divert its fleet to the Cape of Good Hope to avoid passing through the Red Sea, where it suspended transit in the face of attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels.
"All Maersk vessels that need to transit the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden will be diverted south around the Cape of Good Hope in the near future," the shipowner said in a statement.
The Cape of Good Hope is located at the southern tip of Africa.
"All available information confirms that the safety risk [in the Red Sea] remains considerably high," the company added.
"All available information confirms that the safety risk [in the Red Sea] remains considerably high," the company added.
Maersk indicated on Tuesday that it will not resume its fleet's passage through the strategic Red Sea strait, after the suspension decided on Sunday following an attack by Houthi rebels on one of its vessels.
Since 18 November, 25 merchant ships have been attacked in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
"We are aware of the potential impact of this decision on your logistics operations, but rest assured that all decisions were carefully considered and prioritise the safety of our ships, our seafarers and their cargo," the company wrote in a message to its customers.
Twelve countries on Wednesday urged the Houthis to "immediately cease their illegal attacks" in the Red Sea and threatened the rebel group with "consequences".
In December, the United States and other countries formed an international coalition to protect maritime traffic in the area, which carries 12% of world trade.
The Houthi rebels, who control the Yemeni capital Sana'a and large parts of the territory, warned that they will attack any ship with links to Israel in the Red Sea, in solidarity with Hamas.
