The shipping company Hapag-Lloyd expresses its concern about the expansion of risks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, fearing an extension of this instability to the Mediterranean Sea.
Potential attacks by Yemen’s Houthis have not yet reached Mediterranean waters, but the situation could evolve quickly.
Avoid risk areas
For now, Hapag-Lloyd continues to completely avoid the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden due to the expanding attack perimeter. This precautionary measure highlights the growing scale of the threat to maritime security in the region.
Impact on global trade
This situation greatly affects the sector’s ability to transport goods between the Far East and Europe, with an estimated reduction of 15 to 20% in loading capacities for the second quarter of the current year.
The attacks, primarily targeting Israeli ships or those carrying goods to and from Israel, have now broadened their focus to also include US and British ships.
Solidarity with Gaza
The Houthis say their actions are a form of solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has suffered an unprecedented Israeli attack since October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of nearly 35,000 Palestinians.
Consequences for maritime operators
Faced with these growing risks, other shipping companies, such as Maersk, have already changed their routes to avoid conflict zones, leading to a significant increase in transport costs and times.
Adapting shipping routes to bypass the Red Sea via the Cape of Good Hope increases operational costs and extends delivery times, exacerbating tensions in an already pressured sector.
Responses from carriers
In response, Maersk notably increased its reception capacity by renting more than 125,000 additional containers to try to maintain the fluidity and efficiency of its services despite the challenges imposed by the current geopolitical context.
Outlook
Experts expect this maritime transport crisis to last until the end of the year, or even beyond, depending on the evolution of the security situation in the region.
The international community remains attentive to the impact of these tensions on global trade flows.
