CMA CGM will resume transit along the Red Sea on a case-by-case basis, the carrier said Wednesday.
The decision was made after the carrier reevaluated the situation in the Southern Area of the Red Sea and evolving conditions, according to the press release. Each vessel will be assessed before each transit so routing choices can’t be anticipated or communicated.
In an email to Supply Chain Dive, the ocean carrier declined to provide further comment, citing crew and vessel safety concerns.
The France-based carrier's decision comes as ocean shipping lines grapple with attacks on commercial vessels along the Red Sea. In December, major ocean carriers such as Maersk, ONE Line, MSC and Hapag-Lloyd announced vessels bound to transit the Red Sea would be rerouted through the Cape of Good Hope due to ongoing attacks from Houthi rebels. Additional surcharges were announced due to longer transit times and high risk.
Concerns from shippers and other stakeholders have led to hearings from the House of Representatives’ Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation subcommittee and another from the Federal Maritime Commission. Both hearings were called to assess the challenges posed by ongoing attacks on commercial shipping along the Red Sea.
