Full detour! Risks escalate and freight rates soar

On January 5, local time, Maersk announced that in the foreseeable future, all Maersk ships passing through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden will bypass the Cape of Good Hope southward. The total number of ships detouring this time will exceed 170.

Maersk said that diverting ships around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa may increase shipping time by about 10 days and require more fuel, resulting in increased transportation costs.

Maersk pointed out that the previously announced surcharge (TDS), peak season surcharge (PSS) and emergency response surcharge (ECS) for sailing near the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden from January 1 still apply to all cargo on disturbed ships.

In addition, Maersk announced that it will introduce a new peak season surcharge (PSS), and the effective date of the peak season surcharge from Far East (except Vietnam and Taiwan Province) to West Africa is January 8,2024.

The effective date from Vietnam to West Africa is January 18,2024, and the effective date from Taiwan to West Africa is February 2,2024. The price is 100-600 US dollars (different box prices are different).

Except for Maersk, other major liner companies such as CMA, ONE, Mediterranean and Hapag-Lloyd have opted to avoid the Red Sea and switch to the Cape of Good Hope route. The industry believes that cheap shipping space will be booked soon, and subsequent higher freight rates may make it difficult for shipowners to book their shipping space. 

全面绕航！风险升级，运价飙升

       当地时间1月5日，马士基宣布决定在可预见的未来，所有经过红海和亚丁湾的马士基船只都将向南绕过好望角。此次绕航船舶总量将超过170艘。

       马士基表示，改道船舶绕行非洲好望角可能会增加约10天的航运时间，并且需要更多燃料，导致运输成本增加。

       马士基指出，之前宣布的1月1日起征收红海/亚丁湾附近航行的附加费(TDS)、旺季附加费(PSS)以及紧急应变附加费(ECS)仍然适用于受到干扰船只上的所有货物。

       此外，马士基宣布将推出新的旺季附加费(PSS)，远东地区(除越南、中国台湾）到西非地区的旺季附加费生效日期为2024年1月8日。

       越南到西非的生效日期为2024年1月18日，中国台湾到西非的生效日期为2024年2月2日，价格在100-600美元（不同箱型价格不同）。

       除了马士基，其他主要班轮公司如达飞、ONE、地中海航运和Hapag-Lloyd已选择避开红海，改走好望角航线。业内人士认为，便宜的舱位很快就会被预订完，后续运价较高，可能会导致船东的舱位难以预订。