Ships are now heading in ever growing numbers towards the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the snarl-up in the Suez Canal with many operators warning the blockage caused by the 20,388 teu Ever Given could last a considerable amount of time. Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s second largest containerline, announced the immediate rerouting of 11 ships it operates with 2M partner Maersk, while Hapag-Lloyd has shifted six towards southern Africa. South Korea’s HMM has moved quickest, sending a sizeable swathe of its Asia-Europe fleet to the Cape and tellingly, Evergreen, which operates the stricken Ever Given, is also rerouting vessels. Splash reported yesterday on other ship types – including bulk carriers, LNG carriers and product tankers – all taking evasive action. In a release from its Geneva headquarters last night, the Diego Aponte-led firm stated of the Suez blockade: “MSC expects this incident to have a very significant impact on the movement of containerized goods, disrupting supply chains beyond the existing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.”MSC has also warned of a fake notice circulating in the market which erroneously states that the company is not taking any bookings for cargo transportation.
“MSC wishes to reassure customers that we are open for business and that there is no worldwide stoppage of bookings,” the company stressed. The container segment is the shipping sector most under stress from Tuesday’s grounding of the Ever Given. Containerships account for 53% of all goods that flow through the key artery linking Asia with Europe.
Source: Splash247 (Click for further informations)
Concern is growing for the wellbeing of thousands of animals stuck along the hot waterway
“MSC wishes to reassure customers that we are open for business and that there is no worldwide stoppage of bookings,” the company stressed. The container segment is the shipping sector most under stress from Tuesday’s grounding of the Ever Given. Containerships account for 53% of all goods that flow through the key artery linking Asia with Europe.
Source: Splash247 (Click for further informations)