Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd delay Red Sea return

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, two of the world’s leading shipping companies, announced on Thursday that they do not foresee an immediate return to the Red Sea following the ceasefire in Gaza.

Both companies emphasised the need to closely monitor the security situation in the region before resuming operations.

A Hapag-Lloyd spokesperson told Reuters that the ceasefire’s impact on Red Sea security would be analysed, while Maersk stressed that it was too early to speculate on a timeline.

Hapag-Lloyd had previously indicated that attacks from Houthi militants could delay passage through the Suez Canal, with schedule adjustments requiring four to six weeks. These disruptions have forced companies to reroute vessels around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, driving up freight rates and affecting global shipping.

Attribution: Reuters

Subediting: Y.Yasser