At least 12 container vessels have diverted from transiting through the Red Sea to avoid potential attacks by Houthi militia taking the much longer route via the Cape of Good Hope, according to analyst Alphaliner.
Attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and the Straits of Hormuz, which have included hijackings and missile strikes, initially targeted Israeli-linked ships but recent incidents such as the drone strike on the OOCL chartered containership Number 9 had no current Israeli links.
Alphaliner said in its weekly report that by Monday this week, as much as 12 containerships had diverted from transiting the Suez Canal to the much longer route via the Cape of Good Hope. Another six ships were expected to follow suit.
“Among the vessels that have already started their diversion are three units of 4,250 TEU, three ships of 5,000 – 6,000 TEU, four vessels of 15,000 TEU and one unit of 19,000 TEU,” it said.
A diversion by the Cape of Good Hope on a voyage from Shanghai to Rotterdam at a speed of 18 knots would increase the transit time from 25 to 33 days.
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