LIVE UPDATE: Carriers Suspend Voyages through Bab Al Mandab Strait

18 December 2023

12th February, 12pm

US military strikes five vessels near Yemen port

The US military carried out strikes against five targets north of Yemen’s port of Hodeidah over the weekend.

In a statement, US Central Command said that American forces had “successfully conducted self-defense strikes” against “two unmanned surface vessels (USV) and three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles” that were “prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea”.

As the situation in the Red Sea continues, our team are on hand should you have any questions or concerns. Get in touch here.

7th February, 12pm

HMS Richmond takes over Red Sea patrol

Royal Navy frigate HMS Richmond has taken over patrols to protect shipping in following ongoing attacks on vessels.

The Type 23 frigate replaces HMS Diamond has come under fire from Iran-backed Houthi forces on three occasions during its time on duty in the region.

6th February, 1pm

A British-owned vessel has been attacked on the Red Sea

UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported that a British-owned cargo vessel was attacked with a projectile.

No serious injuries were reported and the vessel was deemed safe to continue its journey.

The attack took place near Yemen just after midnight on the 6th of February.

6th February, 10am

Shippers Continue to Adjust to Cape Diversions

All the major carriers are diverting their Asia-Europe services around the Cape of Good Hope, rather than transiting the Suez Canal, with several temporarily adjusting their proforma networks and providing revised ETAs to customers that reflect ongoing delays.

Despite the ongoing situation in the Red Sea, freight rates have started to ease following a spike in prices over recent weeks.

As always, our team are on hand should you have any concerns and we advise our customers to get in touch.

6th February, 9am

CMA CGM: All services initially routed via the Red Sea passage will now follow the Cape of Good Hope

As of the 1st February and until further notice, CMA CGM has announced that all services initially routed through the Red Sea will now follow the Cape of Good Hope routing.

This decision has been made to ensure the safety of seafarers as the situation in the Red Sea continues. 

25th January, 1pm

Maersk ships come under fire in latest Houthi missile attack

US-flagged Maersk Detroit and Chesapeake were under escort by US naval vessels when Houthi militants attacked them with a barrage of missiles causing them to abandon their naval convoy and flee the Red Sea.

22 naval vessels are patrolling the Red Sea under the auspices of Operation Prosperity Guardian. Meanwhile, the US and UK have conducted at least eight airstrikes on Houthi targets since the campaign began.

19th January, 12pm

Maritime advisory warns Red Sea attacks already bigger issue for supply chain than pandemic

The Red Sea crisis and continued Houthi rebel attacks on cargo ships and tankers is now expected to have a bigger impact for shipping than the early pandemic, according to Sea-Intelligence which measures changes in vessel capacity.

The longer transit around the Cape of Good Hope is having a significant impact on vessels, but unlike during Covid, there is excess vessel capacity currently unused which could be put back into service and help solve the issues.

As always, our team are on hand should you have any concerns and we advise our customers to get in touch.

17th January, 12pm

US attacks Houthi anti-ship missiles – vessel hit in Red Sea

The U.S. military carried out new strikes in Yemen on Tuesday against anti-ship ballistic missiles in a Houthi-controlled part of the country as a missile struck a Greek-owned vessel in the Red Sea.

16th January, 12pm

Container shortages following re-routings, delays and cancellations

Container shortages are expected as a result of the ongoing difficulties in the Red Sea.

There are 780,000 standard containers fewer than anticipated arriving in Asia just before the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls in mid-February this year, according to the Baltic Exchange.

Lack of equipment will ultimately put additional pressure on costs as the scarcity increases demand.

11th January, 12pm

Capacity concerns and increased rates expected following the Red Sea Crisis

As a result of the ongoing delays, container shortages, and uncertainty following the events in the Red Sea the industry is anticipating a surge in pricing.

Ships are quickly filling up and with Chinese New Year on the horizon it is expected that rates will continue to rise well into February.

As of the 10th January, the United Nations Security Council has adopted a resolution demanding the Houthis immediately cease all attacks on merchant and commercial vessels. This will hopefully result in a quicker resolution to the ongoing difficulties in the region.

As always, our team are on hand should you have any concerns and we advise our customers to get in touch.

We will continue to monitor the situation, employing mitigation tactics wherever possible to reduce the impact on our customers.

2nd January, 12pm

Red Sea Attack sinks three ships, killing 10 leaving Maersk to continue rerouting via Cape of Good Hope

US helicopters repelled an attempted attack on a Maersk container vessel in the Red Sea earlier this week. The attack comes following Operation Prosperity Guardian which hoped to provide additional security for ships passing through the area. 

The naval battle commenced in the early hours of Sunday as attackers sought to board the Singapore-flagged Maersk Hangzhou, Maersk, and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed. 

The battle sunk three attacking ships and killed 10 militants. 

As always, we will continue to monitor the situation and update our customers regularly. If you have any questions at all we encourage you to get in touch with us here. 

28th December, 1:30pm

CMA CGM Update: Revised Blank Sailing Program on Asia to North Europe Trade in January 

Updated sailing plan below:

• FAL2 initially planned to sail on January 5th from Tianjin will be blanked. 
• FAL8 initially planned to sail on January 17th from Tianjin will be blanked. 
• FAL6 initially planned to sail on January 24th from Qingdao will be blanked. 
• FAL7 initially planned to sail on January 7th from Xiamen will be blanked. NEW 
• FAL7 initially planned to sail on January 14th from Xiamen will be blanked. NEW 
• FAL7 initially planned to sail on January 21st from Xiamen will be blanked. NEW 

28th December, 9am

Some Shipping Lines Resume Shipping Through the Red Sea

Maersk and CMA CGM are preparing to restart operations in the Red Sea, following the recent US-led multinational naval operation Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG). The operation has been set up to protect shipping from attacks by Houthi rebels in the region.

Maersk stated “With the OPG initiative in operation, we are preparing to allow for vessels to resume transit through the Red Sea both eastbound and westbound. We are currently working on plans for the first vessels to make the transit and for this to happen as soon as operationally possible.”

CMA CGM also announced on 26 Dec that some vessels have made the transit through the Red Sea and that it was “currently devising plans for the gradual increase in the number of vessels transiting through the Suez Canal. This decision is based on an in-depth evaluation of the security landscape and our commitment to the security and safety of our seafarers.”

Hapag-Lloyd said it considers passage still “too dangerous” and will continue to reroute its ships via the Cape of Good Hope. A review of this decision is scheduled for this Friday 29th. Evergreen and other shipping lines remain rerouting vessels “until further notice.”

For further details, we recommend contacting a member of our team here.

26th December, 12pm

All Maersk Asia/Middle East – Europe sailings Cape-bound until mid-Feb

Carriers have confirmed that vessels normally routed through the Suez Canal will continue to be redirected through the Cape of Good Hope until at least mid-February.

Customers can expect ongoing delays, however schedules are being continually updated to reflect these changes.

For further details, we recommend contacting a member of our team here.

22nd December, 9am

Allseas Update Asia to North Europe Peak Season Surcharges

As the situation continues to develop many of the carriers are implementing Peak Season Surcharges to account for the additional measures that the redirections will impose on their infrastructure.

Please see the below table showing each carrier’s implemented Peak Season Surcharge. 

We will continue to keep this updated.

Any client bookings that are affected by this surcharge or the re-routings in place will be kept fully informed directly.

All of the below charges are triggered upon the sailing date from the port of loading. 

As always, if you have any queries, please reach out to your account manager for further information

ARRIER	20GP	40GP	40HC	CURRENCY	VALID FROM
CMA CGM	$     500.00	$ 1,000.00	$ 1,000.00	USD	01/01/2024
HAPAG LLOYD	$     500.00	$ 1,000.00	$ 1,000.00	USD	01/01/2024
HMM	$ 1,000.00	$ 2,000.00	$ 2,000.00	USD	01/01/2024
OOCL	$     500.00	$ 1,000.00	$ 1,000.00	USD	01/01/2024

21st December, 1pm

CMA CGM Contingency CHARGE with immediate effect from North Europe to Asia

A Contingency charge will be applicable with immediate effect and until further notice as follows:

• USD 325 per 20’ DRY 
• USD 525 per 40′ DRY 
• USD 1050 per REEFER & special equipment 

• Services/Scope: FAL 
• NORTH EUROPE to ASIA 
• Cargo: All types 
• Date of application: 20th of December 2023 (subject to regulated countries) on all cargo including floating cargo.

21st December, 12 pm

HMM Announce Emergency Peak Season Surcharge

HMM have now to introduced PSS (Peak Season Surcharge) with effect from 1st January 2024 till further notice as follows :

Surcharge Code	20′ Dry	40′ Dry	40′ High Cube Dry
PEK	USD 1,000	USD 2,000	USD 2,000

•  Scope : Asia to Northern Europe, West Mediterranean and East Mediterranean 
• Origin range : All Asian ports 
• Destination range : All Northern European, West Mediterranean and East Mediterranean ports 
• Cargo : All types of cargo 
• Effective date : From 1st January 2024 until further notice 

20th December, 9pm

CMA CGM Operations in the Red Sea | RED SEA Charge Announcement

CMA CGM Red Sea charges have now been announced following the rerouting of vessels through the Cape of Good Hope.

The charges are as follows:

USD 1,575 per 20′ Dry

USD 2,700 per 40′ Dry

USD 3,000 per Reefer container & special equipment

Scope: From / To Jeddah, Port of Neom, Djibouti, Aden, Hodeidah, Port Sudan, Massawa, Berbera, Aqaba, Sokhna

Cargo: All types

Date of application: December 20th, 2023 for cargo on board or to be loaded / discharged to/from Red Sea

20th December, 2pm

Please download our official customer advisory document for more details:

20th December, 1pm

ONE Line to follow suit and implement an Emergency Peak Season Surcharge

Emergency Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) applicable from Asia to North Europe from January 1st 2024 (date of loading in the origin ports). This is in addition to the increase to FAK rates.

Origin Range: from All Asian ports (including Japan, South East Asia and Bangladesh). 

Destination range: to all Northern European ports (including UK and the full range from Portugal to Finland/Estonia). 

Cargo: Dry cargo, OOG’s, Paying empties, and Reefer cargo. 

Date of application: from January 1st, 2024 (date of loading in the origin ports) and until further notice. 

Amount: USD 500 per TEU

20th December, 12pm

OOCL are the second carrier to announce Emergency Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) in the wake if the Red Sea Crisis.

OOCL have become the second carrier to publicize the implementation of an emergency peak season surcharge today, please see below details: 

In view of peak demand and in order to maintain high quality and sustainable service levels, and to ensure adequate equipment supply, OOCL will implement a Peak Season Surcharge applicable to all shipments from Asia to Europe, with effect from January 1, 2024.

• Quantum: US$550 per TEU.

The Peak Season Surcharge will apply in addition to the Ocean Freight Rate and is applicable to all shipments from the Far East, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Middle East to North Europe, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. This surcharge will be applied until further notice.

Please use the webpage link to “Tariff & Rate Enquiry” for full price details (base rate, bunker related charges, security related charges and terminal handling charges) on www.oocl.com. Local surcharges and contingency charges may apply.

20th December, 8am

CMA CGM has announced the following Emergency Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) in the wake if the Red Sea Crisis.

Emergency Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) applicable from Asia to North Europe as from January 1st, 2024 (date of loading in the origin ports). This is in addition to the increase to FAK rates.

• Origin Range: from All Asian ports (including Japan, South East Asia and Bangladesh). 
• Destination range: to all Northern European ports (including UK and the full range from Portugal to Finland/Estonia). 
• Cargo: Dry cargo, OOG’s, Paying empties, and Reefer cargo. 
• Date of application: from January 1st, 2024 (date of loading in the origin ports) and until further notice. 
• Amount: USD 500 per TEU

19th December, 12pm

The below carriers have suspended their services through the Suez Canal until further notice:

• ONE Line
• Maersk
• MSC
• Evergreen
• CMA CGM
• COSCO

We are still awaiting communication from the other carriers and the situation is ever developing.

 Possible business and industry impacts: 

• Longer transit times – an additional 10-14 days on voyage, taking a longer route around the Cape of Good Hope 
• Emergency surcharges being imposed by the carriers under the “force majeure” clause on your bill of lading 
• Congestion and delays at port of origin and discharge, as vessel arrivals “bunch” together 
• Equipment shortages, as containers will be in use for longer 
• Capacity constraints, as vessels take longer to complete a voyage; less frequent sailings 
• Rate increases caused by supply/demand imbalance 
• Bunker (fuel) costs increasing due to oil index surge (oil tankers use the same shipping lane) 
• Insurance costs (your own policy may increase), war risks added by carriers 

Whilst we hope for the best, it would be wise to prepare for all eventualities as we go into the New Year. Our team are on hand should you have any questions or concerns.

18th December, 12pm

Over the weekend, a number of carriers have suspended passage through the Red Sea strait until further notice, following rebel attacks in the waters off Yemen.

Three cargo ships from Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd and MSC have been attacked in the Red Sea by drones and missiles so far. Iran-backed rebels, the Houthis, said they were targeting vessels to pressure Israel over its war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. No injuries were reported. 

The vessels came under attack in the Bab Al Mandab – a narrow strait of water that is vital for global trade and one the world’s most important routes for oil and fuel shipments. About 17,000 ships and 10% of global trade pass through it yearly.

MSC, CMA CGM, Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, COSCO, and other carriers are considering taking action in the coming hours. Alternative routes around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa could add a further 10 days to the transit time from Asia, so carriers will carefully weigh up all the options and risks before taking action. However, you can expect delays and impacts to published sailing schedules whilst this fast-moving situation develops.

The Allseas Global team are here to help, should have any questions about the impact on your shipments.