Palau-flagged bulk carrier Aroyat and general cargo vessel Resilient Africa arrive to the sea port of Chornomorsk for loading with grain, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near Odesa, Ukraine September 16, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer
HAMBURG, Feb 9 (Reuters) – More ships carrying grain were diverted from the Suez Canal to sailings around the Cape of Good Hope this week as concern about attacks on vessels in the Red Sea continued, shipping analysts said on Friday.
“Another 13 vessels were diverted this week taking the total cargo diverted away from the Red Sea route to around 5.2 million metric tons of grains in about 90 ships since the attacks started late last year,” said Ishan Bhanu, lead agricultural commodities analyst at data provider and analyst Kpler.
About 7 million tons per month of grain cargoes usually transit the Suez Canal into the Red Sea, but bulk and other shipping has dropped significantly as Iran-backed Houthi militants have continued attacks on shipping despite U.S.-led air strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen.
“U.S. and European cargoes continue to avoid the Red Sea,” Bhanu said. “Not a single vessel in the Atlantic carrying grain to Asia is heading towards the Suez Canal.”
The Atlantic shipments would include large U.S. grain exports to Asia.
“Almost all cargo originating in the Black Sea, mainly exports out of Russia and Romania, continues to travel through Suez and the Red Sea,” Bhanu said. “Only three such vessels diverted to take the longer route among dozens sailing.”
Vessels in the Red Sea broadcast messages on the automatic identification system (AIS) to seek safe passage to show they are not involved in the Middle East conflict, including ships under Chinese ownership, he said.
Commodity traders said it was still possible to find bulk carriers for Red Sea grain shipments.
“There are shipowners willing to take the risk,” a German grain trader said. “But it is clear the air strikes and naval forces are not enough to end the attacks on ships in the immediate future.”
(Reporting by Michael Hogan; editing by Paul Simao)
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2024.
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 105,252 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
Chantier Davie Canada Inc., aka Davie Shipbuilding, has secured its first contract under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). The contract, awarded by the Canadian Government, involves the design of a...
The International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee has approved the establishment of two new Emission Control Areas (ECAs) in Canada’s Arctic waters and the Norwegian Sea. The ECAs, proposed...
By Mike Wackett (The Loadstar) – Japanese carrier ONE and Taiwan’s Yang Ming today issued a transpacific network update to apply following the departure of Hapag-Lloyd from THE Alliance (THEA) next...
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
Sign Up
Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 105,252 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
