The world’s third largest container line, CMA CGM has stopped transiting the Red Sea and is rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the threat of Houthi attacks.
Of the top tier container lines, CMA CGM was the only one to have continued to transit the Red Sea and Suez Canal on voyages between Asia and Europe/Med, utilising French Naval escorts through the southern Red Sea region.
Currently, “CMA CGM informs its customers that as from February 1st, 2024 and until further notice, all services initially routed via the Red Sea passage will now follow the Cape of Good Hope routing,” the company said in a service update.
“The safety of our seafarers remains our priority at all times.”
The move followed a failed missile strike by the Houthi on the 8,600 teu container vessel Koi on 1 February, which was chartered by CMA CGM.
CMA CGM joins the likes of MSC, Maersk, and Hapag-Lloyd in rerouting its services via the Cape of Good Hope which adds around 10 days to two weeks to voyages between Asia – Europe/Med.
