The Suez Canal Authority this Sunday downplayed the consequences for the maritime passage due to the temporary suspension of some of the world’s largest shipping companies as a result of attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea.
“About 55 ships diverted their route to the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) between November 19 and till today, which is a small percentage compared to the 2,128 ships that crossed (the channel) during that period,” he noted. On Sunday, the authority in the statement.
Last Friday, shipping groups Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd announced a temporary suspension of sailings through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea after several ships were attacked in recent days near the coast of Yemen.
Other groups supported this decision and joined the temporary suspension without specifying a date for the resumption of navigation on this sea route.
The source pointed out that they are “closely monitoring the current tensions in the Red Sea” and are studying “their effect on navigation in the canal”.
It acknowledges that international maritime security is seriously threatened in the Red Sea and the Bab al Mandeb Strait by Houthi attacks on ships with Israeli connections passing off the coast of Yemen.
For his part, the head of the Canal Authority, Osama Rabie, announced in a note that about 77 ships crossed the sea route today, including some ships belonging to shipping lines that previously announced a temporary suspension in the Suez Canal.
Likewise, he asserted that “the canal will continue to be the fastest and shortest route” between Europe and Asia.
Other shipping groups have joined in suspending their operations in the Red Sea, including French shipping line CMA CGM.
“The situation is getting worse and safety concerns are growing,” the company, one of the leading European companies for maritime cargo transportation, said in a statement.
He therefore ordered his container ships to “cease their voyage in safe waters immediately and until further notice”.
Source: Panama America
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
