HAMBURG (dpa-AFX) - The attacks by Huthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea are causing shipping company Hapag-Lloyd to incur additional costs in the high double-digit million range every month, according to company figures. "It is having a significant impact on the entire industry and on ourselves," a company spokesman told the Funke Mediengruppe newspapers on Friday. The spokesperson did not comment on the international military strikes led by the USA and Great Britain against Huthi rebel positions: "But we welcome measures that make the passage through the Red Sea safe again."

The ships of Germany's largest container shipping company have been avoiding the Suez Canal since December due to the rebel attacks. The delays caused by the detour around the Cape of Good Hope are immense. To the "USA one week longer, Europe up to two weeks longer, Eastern Mediterranean 18 days longer," said the shipping company spokesman. At Hapag-Lloyd, 183 ships including partnerships are affected. This would result in additional costs per month in the high double-digit millions: "The decision on whether and how we will proceed will be made next Monday."

Around ten percent of all global trade passes through the Red Sea. The Suez Canal connects the Mediterranean with the Red Sea, making it the shortest sea route between Asia and Europe. Since the outbreak of the Gaza war between Israel and the Islamist Hamas, the Houthi have repeatedly attacked ships with an alleged Israeli connection in the Red Sea./lik/DP/jha