COPENHAGEN: Shipping company Maersk said on Friday it was too early to resume shipping in the Red Sea as risk levels continued to rise despite efforts by the European Union to improve safety in the region.
One of the world’s largest container shipping companies, Maersk, suspended its shipping in the Red Sea on January 5 and has since operated ships through the Cape of Good Hope.
The European Union’s naval mission in the southern Red Sea began in February with the aim of protecting the vital maritime trade route against drone and missile attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militias, which it says are revenge for Israel’s war in Gaza.
Maersk said on its website that it is aware of other shipping companies that are continuing to operate or have announced plans to resume operations in the Red Sea.
The company said the current situation does not allow them to make a decision similar to the taken by other companies.
“We still believe that sailing via the Cape of Good Hope and around Africa is the most reasonable solution at the moment and the one that currently allows the best supply chain stability,” the company said further.
