The global shipping industry is currently facing a significant challenge as tensions escalate in the Red Sea region, forcing companies and organisations to take action.
Since attacks on commercial vessels by Houthis in the Red Sea, do not seam to be reaching an end, various shipping companies, industry organizations, and maritime authorities are responding swiftly to ensure the safety of crews, protect vessels, and maintain the integrity of shipping routes. Just on Friday the 15th, Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, and MSC each found one of their container vessels under attack.
Moreover, major shipping companies have altered their routes in order not to transit the area and important shipping organisations are starting to raise alarms and ask for an effective solution to the problem.
Companies keeping a proactive stance
MSC
MSC, a major player in the shipping industry, faced an incident when, as mentioned above, the container ship MSC PALATIUM III was attacked while transiting the Red Sea on Friday. Although the crew is reported safe with no injuries, the vessel sustained limited fire damage and has been taken out of service.
To protect the lives and safety of seafarers, MSC has decided to temporarily avoid transiting the Suez Canal, rerouting some services via the Cape of Good Hope instead. This decision will impact sailing schedules, and the company seeks understanding from its stakeholders under these serious circumstances.
Hapag-Lloyd
According to Reuters, Hapag-Lloyd has paused all its sailings through the Red Sea until Dec. 18, a spokesperson said on Friday, hours after reporting one of its ships was attacked near Yemen.
Maersk
In response to recent incidents, Maersk has instructed all its vessels in the area bound to pass through the Bab al-Mandab Strait to pause their journeys until further notice. According to its statement, the company is prioritizing the safety of its crews and vessels in light of the evolving situation.
CMA CGM
The CMA CGM Group has expressed deep concern about the ongoing attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea Region. In response, the company has implemented increased prevention measures to ensure the safety of its vessels and crews.
To further safeguard their operations, CMA CGM has instructed all containerships scheduled to pass through the Red Sea to pause their journeys in safe waters until the situation improves.
OOCL
Operational issues have prompted OOCL to cease cargo acceptance to and from Israel with immediate effect. The company is taking this measure until further notice, emphasizing the need for caution and prudence in current circumstances.
HMM
HMM has decided to reroute its vessels around South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope instead of passing through the Suez Canal. Furthermore, the company is reviewing sailing plans, including port calls, to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of its operations.
Shipping organisations and authorities
Apart from companies, shipping organisations and authorities are keeping a close eye on the situation, and their concern keeps rising as attacks fail to halt. Many major organisations have officially expressed concern and have asked for immediate action to protect seafarers and vessels transiting the area.
Suez Canal Authority
The Suez Canal Authority is closely monitoring the impact of tensions in the Red Sea following recent attacks by Yemen’s Houthis on vessels. According to a statement, while maritime traffic in the canal is reported by the authority to be currently normal, the authority also acknowledges the need for vigilance and caution in the current environment.
World Shipping Council (WSC)
The World Shipping Council is deeply alarmed and concerned about the escalating security crisis unfolding in the Red Sea region. The disturbing surge of attacks on vessels poses an imminent threat to the safety and lives of the seafarers navigating these waters.
The right of freedom of navigation stands as a fundamental right under international law, and must be safeguarded. The World Shipping Council urgently calls upon the global community to take decisive action to protect seafarers and freedom of navigation. The time for resolute international engagement is now.
… said WSC in their statement.
Organisations and associations express worry
International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
The IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has made two statements on attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea area, after incidents keep escalating, with no end in sight.
Any attack on commercial shipping is contrary to international maritime law, including laws which protect the freedom of navigation. Any action which might adversely affect shipping engaged in international trade must be avoided.
… said the Secretary-General in his first statement on 12 December
On December 19, the IMO published a second statement by the Secretary-General, to inform that the IMO Secretariat is closely monitoring developments and communicating with relevant stakeholders, including the shipping industry, IMO Member States, and United Nations partners.
International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)
As per their statement, the ICS deplores the actions of the Houthis in the strongest terms and calls for the immediate cessation of these attacks. These are unacceptable acts of aggression which threaten the lives of innocent seafarers and the safety of merchant shipping.
These attacks are a flagrant breach of international law. States with influence in the region should, as a matter of urgency, work to stop the actions of the Houthis in attacking seafarers and merchant ships, and de-escalate what is now an extremely serious threat to international trade, the Organisation adds.
Furthermore, the full maritime security architecture in the region should be brought to bear to end these attacks and protect our seafarers and merchant shipping. Industry will continue to provide guidance to shipowners and operators, and work with military powers in the region to mitigate the threat to shipping presented by the Houthis.
ECSA and ETF
The European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), in their joint statement, have called for immediate action to urgently address this alarming situation.
In particular, Sotiris Raptis, ECSA Secretary General said that ECSA strongly advocates for the enhancement of protective structures for the security of commercial vessels transiting through the area. These measures are crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of our seafarers and to enhance the security of vital trade routes. ECSA also encourages and supports all coordinated efforts, including diplomatic, contributing to maintaining the freedom of navigation, he added.
Measures to ensure the safety and well-being of seafarers are critical and necessary to enhance the security of vital trade routes. Seafarers are key workers keeping supply chains moving and deserve protection
… added Livia Spera, ETF General Secretary.
Protecting key shipping routes and the international principle of freedom of navigation is essential to guarantee the security of the continent, the two organisations highlighted.
BIMCO
BIMCO believes nation states must collaborate to remove the current threat to international shipping and, if necessary, neutralise the threat by military means within the boundaries of international law.
BIMCO strongly calls for joint efforts by nations to protect international shipping. Seafarers should not be risking their lives while doing their job and keeping the world supplied
… said David Loosley, Secretary General & CEO of BIMCO
INTERCARGO
Not only are these attacks putting crew members and vessels at risk but East African nations and regions relying on the transit of dry bulk cargoes such as food and vital raw materials through the Red Sea will face severe consequences due to trade disruptions.
… INTERCARGO highlighted in their statement, while also noting that the safety of seafarers remains INTERCARGO’s paramount concern and that they urge their members to remain vigilant and take note of the guidance being issued by the industry.
International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)
In their statement, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) called for the safety of seafarers to be paramount.
We acknowledge the steps taken by a number of leading shipping companies including Maersk, Hapag Lloyd, and MSC to stop using the Red Sea, and many vessels have been rerouted to avoid putting seafarers’ lives at risk.
… said the Federation
Stephen Cotton, ITF general secretary, said that the primary concern of the ITF is the safety of seafarers and they would expect shipping companies to share that concern. Seafarers move the world, he said.
We applaud companies that are rerouting their vessels. The focus at this time needs to be about the health and safety of the seafarers and less about the cost of oil and transport.
… Stephen Cotton concluded
