Maersk has warned that disruptions affecting the container shipping sector across the Red Sea may continue into the second half of the year. Major container shipping companies have steered away from the Red Sea and the Suez Canal to the longer route around Africa after attacks by Houthi militants on ships. Charles Van Der Stegen, head of North America at Maersk, stated in a press release today, "Be prepared for the situation in the Red Sea to persist into the second half of the year, and plan for longer transit times in your supply chain strategies."
Maersk, a leader in global trade, reported that it has increased vessel operational capacity by around six percent to compensate for delays caused by ships taking the longer route around the African continent. The Copenhagen-based company has also asked its customers, including retail giants like Walmart and Nike, to prepare for rising shipping costs. The increase in sailing duration has already raised shipping prices.
Maersk noted that longer transit times around Africa also mean significant delays for ships heading to the East Coast of the United States, advising customers to look for alternative ports in Mexico, the Northwest Pacific, and Los Angeles for goods destined for the East Coast. Maersk pointed out that severe congestion in Oakland, California, has also delayed the return of container ships to Asia to load goods.
