VEHICLE carriers operating on the Asia/Europe trades are starting to be diverted via the Cape of Good Hope route, although only one operator has so far confirmed the diversion.

Wallenius Wilhelmsen, the world’s largest operator of pure car and truck carriers, has disclosed that its vessels are avoiding the Red Sea route with immediate effect.

“Wallenius Wilhelmsen is rerouting all vessels planned for Red Sea transit via the Cape of Good Hope due to the deteriorating security situation in the region,” the Oslo-headquartered company said today. 

WWL chief executive Lasse Kristoffersen said that as a result of the current security situation in the southern parts of the Red Sea the company has decided to reroute all vessels to avoid the area until further notice.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and stay in direct consultation with authorities, industry bodies and all relevant counterparts,” said Kristoffersen.

According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence data, the 8,000 car capacity Morning Lily (IMO: 9446013), operated by WWL subsidiary Eukor, changed course yesterday in the Arabian Sea from its original course for the Suez Canal and is now heading south towards South Africa.

WWL said that “several vessels” due to transit the Red Sea have been successfully diverted, while the company has no vessels in or on the way to the area. Diverting vessels around the Horn of Africa is expected to add between seven and 14 days to a vehicle carrier’s round-trip.

So far no other vehicle carrier operators have confirmed that they will divert ships from the Red Sea. A number of large car and truck carriers bound for Europe are sailing towards, or are transiting, the Red Sea northbound. They include vessels operated by leading carriers Höegh Autoliners, K Line and NYK Line.