Maersk, the Danish shipping giant, has announced it will continue to reroute its vessels around the Cape of Good Hope for the “foreseeable future” due to persistent Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. The decision follows a recent missile attack and attempted boarding of the Maersk Hangzhou, alongside other “ongoing developments” in the region.
In a statement released Friday, Maersk cited the highly volatile and constantly evolving situation, with intelligence reports indicating a significantly elevated security risk. Consequently, all Maersk vessels scheduled to transit the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden will now be diverted south around the Cape of Good Hope.
Acknowledging the disruptions this decision may cause to customers, Maersk emphasized its commitment to the safety of vessels, seafarers, and cargo. The company hopes that suspending voyages through the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden will bring more consistency and predictability, despite the delays associated with the re-routing.
Rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope leads to longer travel times, higher freight rates, and disruptions to normal trade flows. This decision comes after Maersk initially resumed transits through the region with the establishment of the U.S.-led naval coalition, Operation Prosperity Guardian.
Following the December 30 missile attack on the M/V Maersk Hangzhou, Maersk initiated a 48-hour pause on Red Sea transits, leading to the announcement to continue reroutings around the Cape of Good Hope.
In response to the reroutings, Maersk has introduced a “Transit Disruption Surcharge (TDS)” of $400 per 40-foot container, along with a peak season surcharge.