The head of the Suez Canal Authority, Osama Rabie, stated today, Sunday, that the authority is closely monitoring the current tensions in the Red Sea. Rabie mentioned in a statement that the authority is tracking the implications of these tensions on traffic flows in the canal, adding that maritime navigation in the canal is proceeding normally.
The statement noted that since November 19, 55 ships have changed their course to the Cape of Good Hope, while 2,128 ships have transited the canal during the same period. Two major shipping companies, one of which is Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), announced on Saturday that they would avoid transiting the Suez Canal due to the escalation of attacks by Houthi militants on ships in the Red Sea.
The Houthis, allied with Iran, have launched attacks on vessels in the region in protest against Israeli bombardment and invasion of Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of nearly 19,000 Palestinians, according to health officials in the sector. Rabie indicated that 77 vessels transited the canal today, Sunday, including some vessels from shipping lines that announced temporary rerouting away from the Suez Canal. These vessels were already in the Red Sea area prior to the announcement of the route change.
