The case in summary: The Houthi militia has carried out many drone and missile attacks against ships in the Red Sea, including Norwegian ones, since November. The United States and Britain attacked the Houthi rebels in Yemen on Friday night, which has increased tensions in the area. Around 20 shipping companies have chosen to sail around South Africa instead of through the Red Sea to reduce the risk, which leads to delays in goods deliveries to Norway. Delays could be significant, with a potential delay of nearly a month, and a container shortage situation could arise. The Shipping Association has advised its members to sail around Africa if possible, but emphasizes that it is an untenable situation that militia groups threaten the world’s most important trade routes. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. Since November, the Houthi militia has carried out many drone and missile attacks against ships in the Red Sea on their way to Israel. Norwegian ships have also been attacked. On Friday night, the United States and Great Britain attacked the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The tense situation in the area has led to around 20 shipping companies sailing around South Africa instead of through the Red Sea to reduce the risk. This means that it takes longer to transport goods from Asia to Norway. Director of shipping Christian Flatum at the logistics and transport company DB Schenker says that the attack that happened last night makes the situation in the Red Sea even more dangerous. – As it is now, the majority of container ships sail around South Africa. This means that goods destined for Europe and Norway are delayed, he explains. Delays Flatum states that all goods from Asia will be delayed. – There is everything from food, clothing and other consumer goods to industrial items. Everything sent in containers will be affected by this, he says. Many businesses in Norway have goods that are already in stock. Therefore, we will not notice the delays until the end of April and May, he believes. But the delays can be long. – When the ships sail around South Africa, the empty containers also return much later to Asia to unload new goods. The ships are delayed by 10 to 14 days each way, so in total the delays are almost one month, he says. Director of shipping Christian Flatum at the logistics and transport company DB Schenker says that goods going to Europe and Norway are delayed, because many ships have to sail around Africa. Photo: DB Schenker He believes we could have a container shortage situation, such as during the corona pandemic. – Is there reason to be concerned? – No, I don’t want to say that. But we probably have to be aware that there are delays when you have to sail around Africa, and that certain products will be delayed, he says. – Untenable situation CEO Harald Solberg of the Shipowners’ Association tells news that since before Christmas they have advised their members to sail around Africa if they have the opportunity. – But it is an untenable situation. We cannot have militia groups threaten the world’s most important trade routes, he says. Managing director Harald Solberg of the Norwegian Shipping Association advises its members to sail around Africa if they have the opportunity. Photo: NTB Solberg explains that the number of Norwegian-controlled ships sailing in the Suez Canal and the Red Sea has been reduced considerably, because most consider it safer to sail around Africa. – But those who still sail there, do they do so because they are speculating on high rates? – There is no great financial advantage to sailing through this area, but there may be relationships with the customer, relationships with the cargo or other reasons that mean that you still have to sail through the Red Sea, he replies.
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Food and clothing for Norway will be delayed – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
