The main Japanese shipping companies decided to change route with Europe to avoid the Red Sea and the attacks of the Houthis, who want to prevent ships related to Israel from sailing in the areaIt was reported this Monday.
Nippon Yusen (NYK Line), Mitsui OSK and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line), the three largest Japanese shipping companies, are already diverting freighters to and from Europe to avoid the Red Sea and thus avoid being targeted by these groups, the Japanese said. public broadcaster NHK.
Shipping companies, as well as the container shipping company Ocean Network Express, They are diverting ships to South Africawhere they border the Cape of Good Hope, despite The shortest waterway connecting Asia to Europe is the Suez Canal.that crosses the Red Sea.
The decision comes hours after the US Department of Defense announced that a Japanese-owned, Liberian-flagged chemical tanker operated by a Dutch company was attacked on Saturday in the Indian Ocean by a drone apparently from Iran.
The attack caused a firebut the 21 crew members, 20 Indians and one Vietnamese, were not injured.
The ship left Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and was headed to the Indian port of Mangalore when it was attacked, but decided to return to Mumbai for repairs and damage assessment with the help of the Indian Coast Guard, according to the shipping agency. Japanese Kyodo News.
According to North American media, the ship could have links to Israel.
Changes to freight routes are raising concerns about potential loading delays and increases in transportation costs.
The recent escalation of attacks launched from Yemeni territory, which has included the hijacking of ships, is threatening global trade on the crucial route between the Red and Arabian Seas.
Source: TSF
