The Global Shippers Forum (GSF) has called on container lines to provide greater transparency over their decision to resume Red Sea transits, questioning the basis on which carriers have deemed it safe to route fully laden vessels through the region once again.
Cargo owners are seeking detailed justification from shipping lines regarding the security assessments underpinning the return to Suez Canal services, with the GSF describing the move as potentially ‘reckless’ given the ongoing security risks in the area.
Shippers argue that while a return to Red Sea routing would significantly reduce transit times and freight costs following months of lengthy diversions around the Cape of Good Hope, the safety of crews, vessels, and cargo must remain the paramount consideration.
The forum is pressing carriers to disclose the intelligence and risk assessments informing their operational decisions, highlighting that cargo owners bear considerable financial exposure should incidents occur in transit.