ALBAWABA- In a significant development reported by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), 18 shipping companies have altered their routes to navigate around Africa instead of using the Red Sea route.
This redirection has been attributed to the increasing threats and attacks in the Red Sea region.
The IMO highlighted that these changes have resulted in elevated maritime transport costs affecting ships bound for South Africa, Europe, and other global destinations.
The decision to reroute ships comes amid heightened tensions, with Houthis in Yemen reportedly targeting ships, particularly those linked to or heading to Israel.
The attacks have included attempts to block the Bab Al Mandab strait, impacting maritime traffic heading to Israel.
The Houthis' actions are seen as a response to the ongoing Israeli aggression and blockade on Gaza, signaling a complex geopolitical challenge with ramifications for global shipping routes.
