Global sea-freight service provider AP Moller-Maersk has said the tensions and violence in the Red Sea are still “creating challenges for supply chains”. By Leatherbiz.

There has been widespread disruption to container shipping in the region since the Houthi movement began to attack ships off Yemen’s Red Sea coast in late 2023, forcing vessels to take longer routes around the Cape of Good Hope when sailing between Asia and Europe.

He confirmed that, for the time being, Maersk ships are continuing to divert around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope. He said: “These disruptions, and the impact they are having on your business, is not something that I, nor any colleagues at Maersk, take lightly. We know it is difficult for you. We know it puts you under a lot of pressure.”

Disruption has extended beyond Far East-Europe routes to the entire ocean network, Maersk said.

In its results for the first quarter of 2024, the company reported revenues of just over $8 billion for the ocean freight part of its business. This figure represented a fall of 18.9% year on year.