Tuesday 07 05 2024 08:41:58 AM

Office Address

123/A, Miranda City Likaoli Prikano, Dope

Phone Number

+0989 7876 9865 9

+(090) 8765 86543 85

Email Address

info@example.com

example.mail@hum.com

Attacks on Red Sea shipping forces 66% decline in Suez Canal traffic – ONS
Shipping traffic through the vital Suez Canal artery in Egypt has plunged by 66% since cargo was forced to divert due to attacks on vessels by Houthis, according to official figures.
Dr.G.R.Balakrishnan Apr 26 2024 Shipping News

Attacks on Red Sea shipping forces 66% decline in Suez Canal traffic – ONS

The data, from the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS), covered the period from mid-December to the beginning of April. .

There are fears that soaring costs for insurance, fuel and wages risk stoking a fresh wave of inflation as the diversion to Europe from destinations such as manufacturing powerhouse China, around the southern tip of Africa, adds up to 14 days to transit times.

Houthi fighters based in Yemen have been targeting ships which, they claim, have links to Israel. They argue that they are acting in sympathy with Palestinians and a number of attacks have found their targets despite a US-led naval operation to protect vessels in the Red Sea.

The vast majority of major shipping companies have, for some months, used the diversion around the Cape of Good Hope.

The prospect of more perilous journeys for tankers has been a factor behind rising oil prices. Brent crude, which had been trading around the $80 a barrel mark at the start of the year, rose as high as $91 earlier this month amid the see-saw of tension across the conflict in the Middle East. It culminated in tit-for-tat attacks between Israel and Iran.

It is currently trading at $88, reflecting the lack of escalation since last week.

The AA reported on Tuesday 23 April that average petrol costs in the UK had crossed back above the 150p-a-litre mark for the first time since November.

Experts have warned that they probably have further to go, with a weaker pound versus the dollar this month adding to higher oil costs as the commodity is priced in the US currency.