At least one major container carrier has continued to operate in the Red Sea despite a months-long campaign of violent attacks on the key global shipping route that has forced other lines to divert around Africa.
French carrier CMA CGM has continued to operate a number of services through the Suez Canal, with calls at Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, as well as south to the Gulf of Aden and destinations farther east including China.
Liner companies operating between Asia, the Mediterranean and the east coast of North America since earlier this year began diverting vessels away from the Red Sea after Houthi militia began attacking commercial shipping with missiles, drones and attack boats, killing four people and sinking two vessels. One ship was hijacked and its crew remain in captivity, and another remains detained by Iran.
Container carriers have diverted vessels around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa, typically adding 14 days to their voyages. The longer sailings have meant delays, increased emissions and higher operating costs passed on to shippers, and several carriers have posted windfall profits in the process.
Read more in an article from FreightWaves.