Maersk shipping to avoid Red Sea for the foreseeable future

Shipping giant Maersk said that its vessels would be diverted around Africa for the “foreseeable future” and avoid using the Red Sea and Suez Canal. 

Maersk's decision cited the volatile situation in the Red Sea where Yemeni group the Houthis have attacked merchant ships heading to Israel. 

“We have therefore decided that all Maersk vessels due to transit the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden will be diverted south around the Cape of Good Hope for the foreseeable future,” it said in a statement.

The Houthis have said all other shipping not destined for Israel can pass through the Red Sea.