Maersk is set to continue rerouting its ships around the Cape of Good Hope amid escalating Houthi attacks. The company issued an update to its customers outlining the challenges it faces and the measures being taken to mitigate shipping delays and disruptions.
With the situation in the Red Sea growing increasingly complex, Maersk emphasised the need to ensure the safety of its crew, vessels, and cargo. This has led to longer routes and increased costs due to the expanding risk zone and attacks reaching further offshore.
The unexpected developments have caused bottlenecks, delays, and shortages in equipment and capacity, resulting in an estimated industry-wide capacity loss of 15-20% on key routes.
To address these challenges, Maersk is increasing sailing speeds, adding capacity, and leasing over 125,000 additional containers. Despite rising spot rates, increased fuel costs and charter rates have led to surcharges, with Maersk noting a 40% rise in fuel usage per journey.
The company has adjusted its Peak Season Surcharge to cover additional costs and pledges to keep customers informed of any further changes.
