Hapag-Lloyd to Avoid Red Sea Due to Safety Concerns

German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd has announced that it will continue to avoid the Red Sea, as it deems the area to still be too dangerous. This decision comes despite the deployment of naval ships by the U.S. and its allies in an effort to deter further attacks by Houthi militants.

A spokesperson for Hapag-Lloyd stated, "We continuously assess the situation and plan a next review on Friday." As a precaution, the company will reroute its ships via the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.

Earlier this month, multiple shipping companies, oil producers, and cargo owners suspended transit through the Red Sea after vessels were attacked by Houthi militants. These attacks were carried out in response to Israel's military operations in Gaza and were executed by the Iranian-backed rebel group in Yemen.

Mediterranean Shipping Co., another major shipping company, also confirmed that it would reroute vessels booked for Suez transit via the Cape of Good Hope. They also reported that one of their container ships was attacked while in the Red Sea.

Following these attacks and the subsequent naval deployment by the U.S. and its allies, Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk announced on Sunday its intentions to resume shipments through the Red Sea.

In conclusion, due to ongoing safety concerns, Hapag-Lloyd and other shipping companies are taking precautions by avoiding the Red Sea for now. The situation will be closely monitored, with a review scheduled for Friday to determine if any changes can be implemented.