“The situation
in the Suez Canal remains fluid and the security situation is unclear,” the
company said by email Tuesday 21 Jan’25.
“In order to guarantee the safety of our seafarers and to ensure consistency
and predictability of service for our customers, MSC will continue to transit
via the Cape of Good Hope until further notice.”
The Switzerland-based
business operates 884 ships, according to Alphaliner data, making it the
world’s largest container carrier controlling about 20% of global capacity.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels said over the weekend that
they would stop attacking ships with links to
the US and UK after a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, but it has
been uncertain how that announcement would impact shipping.
About 70% of vessel
traffic has been sailing thousands of miles around Africa rather than through
the Red Sea since the Houthis first began attacking ships in 2023.