2023-12-27 16:21:14
After attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, maritime traffic resumes in the Red Sea. Vessels from the shipowner CMA-CGM have once again surveyed this maritime route. The Maersk company boats are preparing to follow suit.
“Some ships have transited through the Red Sea” and “we plan to gradually increase the transit of our ships through the Suez Canal” – which connects the Mediterranean to the Red Sea – indicated the French group CMA-CGM in a message to its customers. The shipowner did not provide further details “for security reasons”.
Maersk is preparing for its part to “resume navigation in the Red Sea towards the east as well as towards the west”, the Danish carrier indicated on Sunday in a press release, and the first cargo ships will use the canal “as quickly as possible”.
Temporary suspension of traffic during Houthi attacks
Several global shipping giants announced in mid-December to suspend the passage of their ships through the Red Sea, a major trade route, after attacks perpetrated by the Houthi rebels. Many ships began sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, in the far south of Africa, embarking on a long and costly detour.
With 12% of world trade passing through it according to the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the Red Sea is a “sea highway” linking the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, and therefore Europe to Asia. . Around 20,000 ships pass through the Suez Canal each year, the entry and exit point for ships passing through this area.
The Houthis, who say they stand in solidarity with Palestinian Hamas in its war against Israel in the Gaza Strip, have warned that they will target ships sailing off the coast of Yemen with links to Israel.
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