Shipping firms split on return to Red Sea as Houthi attacks continue

Some major shipping companies continue to steer clear of the Red Sea, even as others return following a new US-led security operation to safeguard the area — highlighting how fragile the situation remains in one of the world’s trade arteries.

Some major shipping companies continue to steer clear of the Red Sea, even as others return following a new US-led security operation to safeguard the area — highlighting how fragile the situation remains in one of the world’s trade arteries. Hapag-Lloyd and Evergreen Line, the container shipping arm of Evergreen Group, told CNN Wednesday that they would continue to reroute vessels via the Cape of Good Hope at Africa’s southern tip. MSC said the same Tuesday. “At the moment we still consider the situation too dangerous to pass,” a spokesperson for Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd said in a statement. “We continuously assess the situation and plan a next review on Friday.” Evergreen Line referred CNN to a December 18 statement in which the company said it had instructed its container ships to suspend navigation through the Red Sea “until further notice.” The two firms’ approach differs from that of other shippers, which have resumed transit in the critical waterway despite ongoing attacks on commercial vessels by Houthi militants. The Iran-backed rebels have said the assaults are revenge against Israel for its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. Danish shipper Maersk said Sunday that it would resume transit through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to its southeast following the establishment of a US-led international naval mission to protect commercial shipping in the area.