Nearly 60 Maersk boxships heading back to Suez Canal despite Houthi threat
All vessels resuming the shorter route are operated by Maersk, including some on strings jointly run with 2M partner MSC
Maersk seems largely unfazed by the recent attack on an MSC boxship. However, Hapag-Lloyd in its latest update said the transit via Suez Canal remained too dangerous and would maintain diversion around the Cape of Good Hope
MAERSK will send dozens of its mainlane containerships back to transit using the Suez Canal, having unveiled plans to revive the Red Sea routes.
In an update on December 27, the Danish giant outlined diversion plans for more than 150 ships across eight Asia-Europe services, three Middle East services and four transpacific strings.
Of these, 59 ships will pass through the Suez Canal, while the rest will continue to reroute via the Cape of Good Hope to avoid attacks the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have targeted commercial vessels in recent weeks.
All vessels resuming the shorter route are operated by Maersk, including some on strings jointly run with 2M partner Mediterranean Shipping Co.
Over the weekend, Maersk first indicated it was ready for the move as the previously announced US-led multinational security initiative Operation Prosperity Guardian was set up and deployed.
Subsequently, France’s CMA CGM announced similar plans, while a 14,500 teu boxship operated by its Ocean Alliance partner Cosco Shipping has been tracked turning course toward the Red Sea.
These measures are expected to alleviate disruptions to the logistics chain, shorten transportation times and reduce costs.
However, a Houthi missile attack on the 8,200 teu MSC United VIII (IMO: 9302619) in the Red Sea on December 26 has renewed concerns about the passage’s security.
MSC stated it “will continue to reroute vessels booked for Suez transit via the Cape of Good Hope”.
The same day Maersk issued its latest advisory, another major European carrier Hapag-Lloyd said the situation remains too dangerous to cross the Suez Canal, stating “we will maintain our diversion around the Cape of Good Hope”.
Maersk seems largely unfazed so far, but noted the list of ships and their status will be continuously updated as “these are qualified estimates subject to change based on specific contingency plans”.
