One of the world’s largest shipping companies, Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd, told the media it would avoid the Red Sea for at least another week and then reassess the situation following recent attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Iran-backed rebels, who have declared their support for Hamas, are targeting ships using the popular Suez Canal shipping route.
The group has previously claimed its attacks target ships linked to Israel, in response to the war in Gaza. Shipping companies are worried about the safety of their employees as some ships have been attacked by drones and missiles.
The US Navy destroyed three Houthi “small boats” over the weekend as their crew tried to board a container ship in the Red Sea.
Hapag-Lloyd sends 50 ships through the Suez Canal each month and will have to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, which will add a week or two to journey time depending on the destination.