Shipping giants CMA CGM and Maersk announced separately that they will continue to sail via the Cape of Good Hope in Africa despite the recent improvement in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which triggered Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The French shipping and logistics company CMA CGM stated that they are closely monitoring the situation following the ceasefire agreement, but acknowledged that the situation remains fragile.
"The ceasefire allows humanitarian relief and hope for peace. Recent developments in the region suggest progress towards greater stability, which is a positive but fragile sign for the global shipping and logistics industry," it said.
"Yet, the safety of our seafarers, vessels, and our customers' cargo remains the CMA CGM Group's utmost priority. Given the ongoing tensions and associated risks for commercial vessels in certain areas, CMA CGM will for time being continue to prioritize alternative routes, including a significant reliance on passage via the Cape of Good Hope," it added.
CMA CGM noted that while this approach applies to the majority of its network, adjustments may be made on a case-by-case basis depending on security and global operational conditions.
Maersk said separately that the announcement from the Houthi organisation on their plans to cease attacks in the area with peace talks ongoing is a "very welcome step" in the right direction towards stability and eventual normality for the global shipping industry.
However, the Danish shipping giant noted that the rerouting back to the Southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden will take time.
"The process to bring the current conflict between Israel and Hamas to an end is dependent on a multi-phased roadmap continuing to be met, and as such the predictability of the situation remains a complex challenge," it said.
"Furthermore, due to the continued tensions in the region, the security risk of commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea and Bab-el-Mandeb strait remains high."
"With this in mind – and the safety of our crew, vessels, and your cargo being our utmost priority – Maersk will continue to sail around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope until safe passage through the area is ensured for the longer term," it added.
Maersk noted that the company have taken this decision to optimise stability and certainty across the supply chain.
"Returning to the area without fully ensuring safe passage could result in our networks needing to be adjusted again, which would prove complicated both operationally and indeed for supply chain management," it said.
Gemini Cooperation
Meanwhile, the new shipping alliance between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd will push through with using the Cape of Good Hope on its launch in February.
"Regarding the Gemini Cooperation and our East-West network (also referred to as the Network of the Future), this will be phasing in via the Cape of Good Hope as planned on February 1, 2025, and we encourage you to continue planning your supply chain around this set-up," Maersk said.
"We will keep you informed of any new developments as soon as possible. When it is deemed safe to return to the Red Sea, we will strive to provide sufficient notice of network alterations so you can plan your operations accordingly," it added.
Earlier, a Xeneta analysis said the agreement between Israel and Hamas to pause their conflict has raised hopes over the prospect of containerships returning to the Red Sea, but a period of uncertainty and volatility in ocean supply chains persists and it will take time for ocean carriers to resume operations on this route.
Peter Sand, chief analyst at Xeneta, said an agreement to pause fighting does not necessarily mean a large-scale return of container ships to the Red Sea and while a ceasefire is a "significant step forward," there is still a long way to go before a real peace deal is reached.
"Carriers will want assurance they have safe passage for crews and ships in the long term and that the situation will not suddenly deteriorate," he wrote.
