Suez Canal traffic has dropped 66%, Maersk claims

The number of vessels navigating the Suez Canal has dropped by 66% since shipping companies started rerouting their ships around Africa, according to recent data from the Danish shipping firm AP Møller-Maersk.

This shift comes in response to the growing impact of attacks in the Red Sea on shipping and global supply chains.

According to Reuters, AP Møller-Maersk added these disruptions have led to significant adjustments in shipping services and a shift in cargo volumes.

This has, in turn, put considerable pressure on infrastructure, resulting in increased port congestion, delays, and shortages of capacity and equipment.

The company noted that, as of July, the unrest in the Red Sea was affecting cargo ships worldwide.

Since November, Iran-backed Houthi rebels have been targeting vessels in the Red Sea, aligning with Hamas in its conflict with Israel. In light of these safety concerns, shipping companies have been avoiding the crucial maritime route between Europe and Asia, opting instead to navigate around the Cape of Good Hope, located at the southernmost tip of Africa.