As of yesterday Maersk Line noted that the Red Sea “risk zone” had expanded, with “attacks reaching further offshore”. The Loadstar reported on Friday that Maersk’s revised peak season surcharge on Asia-NOrth Europe is set to triple from $250 per teu to $750 per teu from 11 May.

However, between 15% and 20% of capacity had been “lost” to the situation in the Red Sea that “has intensified over the last few months,” said the Danish carrier, which experienced a 13% drop in revenues in Q1.

It told customers: “To safeguard our crew, vessels and your cargo, we are rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope for the foreseeable future… this has forced our vessels to lengthen their journey further, resulting in the entry of highly trained Iranian military personnel into the Red Sea theatre, marked by the hijack of MSC Aries several weeks ago, has further complicated matters.

Maersk said diversion around the Cape of Good Hope required 40% more fuel per ship, and that further alterations to surcharges were likely. “While we reduced the peak season surcharge recently, it has been increased again to help cover the additional costs. We will continue to review the surcharges regularly and will keep you up to date of any changes,” it told customers. 

 According to industry sources, the widespread disruptions have left carriers constantly shuffling gate cut-offs or cargo carting windows for their Indian sailings over the past few weeks, making shipment planning increasingly difficult for exporters and freight forwarders.

“We are facing a major disruption due to the Red Sea crisis,” an Indian liner industry executive told The Loadstar. “Some delays are only to be anticipated, but container lines are making every effort to serve the trade as best as possible.”