The attacks in the Red Sea caused shipping companies to reconsider transiting the Suez Canal via the Red Sea, with many suspending their trips or diverting around the Cape of Good Hope. This led to increased shipping times, higher costs, and medium-term logistics issues for individual shipping firms.
Houthi rebels in Yemen have targeted commercial ships in the Red Sea, causing disruptions to a key maritime route essential for global container traffic and trade6. This has led to an increase in shipping costs and delays, forcing some shipping companies to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, adding two weeks to journeys and increasing expenses.
The journey around Africa for ships can be up to 10,702 nautical miles, which is 4,423 additional nautical miles compared to the Suez Canal route3. This longer route can take approximately 44 days to complete, adding about two weeks to the trip.