CMA CGM resumes Red Sea transits

The French shipping major has announced that it will resume shipping through the Red Sea, but on a “case-by-case” basis. 

PHOTO: A CMA CGM container ship at sea. Getty Images

“The CMA CGM Group has reevaluated the situation in the Southern Area of the Red Sea and the evolving conditions allow us to resume transit on a case-by-case basis," the firm said.

The company mentioned that the situation is being closely monitored for each vessel before transiting via the Red Sea. Consequently, the firm said that vessel routing decisions cannot be communicated in advance of each transit.

CMA CGM also stated that it remains prepared to divert vessels around the Cape of Good Hope whenever the Red Sea route is deemed unsafe.

Shipping firms have been diverting vessels via the Cape of Good Hope to avoid Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. In December, CMA CGM was one of the first shipping firms among MSC, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd to announce the vessel diversions to avoid tensions in the Red Sea. 

Following CMA CGM's initial announcement, the shipping giant has been intermittently resuming and discontinuing services along the Red Sea. Some CMA CGM vessels were seen transiting through the Red Sea in January under naval protection. In its most recent update earlier this month, the company declared the suspension of all transits via the Red Sea to prioritise the safety of its ships.

Meanwhile, Hapag-Lloyd continues to avoid the Red Sea transits. The German shipping firm’s vessels are still being rerouted via the Cape of Good Hope, a spokesperson told ENGINE. 

By Manjula Nair  

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