Attacks by Iran-backed militias have caused “heart attacks” in the world TradeThe US and its allies respond with counter-strikes Yemeni rebelsBut tensions in the region's sea lanes have actually slowed shipping routes, creating a supply chain crisis that has a major impact on inflation.
Tensions in the Middle East were not ignored even by the Greek Prime Minister, who noted the geopolitical developments from Davos in the morning. Bloomberg: “We are in the Eastern Mediterranean, we are A pillar of sustainability In a chaotic area. “There is concern about geopolitical developments and we are doing everything we can to prevent the escalation of conflict in the Middle East,” said Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Of course, it is no coincidence that a few days ago, another Greek-owned ship (after the St. Nicholas in the Gulf of Aden) was attacked by the Houthis. Especially when a cargo ship was hit by a missile in the Red Sea at noon on Tuesday. The Malta-flagged vessel is owned by Athens-based “Vulcanus Technical Maritime Enterprise”.
According to SKAI, the Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack with naval missiles the same afternoon. The ship crashed on its way from Vietnam to Israel. Despite being beaten, he continued his march towards Suez.
200,000 containers did not reach Praeus
At the same time, the president of the Professional Chamber of Athens John HatchitheodosioThe alarm sounded and spoke about the tense situation in the Middle East ERT For a new increase in the price of goods. In particular, the increase in commodity prices due to the increased risk of crossing the Suez Canal began to be felt in Greece as well, as the port of Piraeus was not affected.
“Right now, about 200,000 containers do not arrive in Piraeus because of the (Suez Canal) blockade, and these ships are forced to go around Africa, which means delays of 15 to 20 days,” said Mr. Hatchitheodosio explained. .
In addition to longer delivery times, he stressed, the delay also affects transportation costs, noting that each container is now burdened with $6,000 and increased insurance premiums.
Transportation costs triple
Transport costs have risen paradoxically, but have actually tripled, said the head of Piraeus trade and industry. Santa CorgidisIn OpenEmphasizes that container imports at the port of Piraeus fell by 45% in the first 15 days of January.
“Now there are 200,000 containers going around Africa – because 67% of ships avoid going through Suez. Insurance companies and commodities don't cover them.” As he pointed out, “…they would be two weeks late to unload at other ports and have to pay extra to come to Piraeus with smaller ships. Today, transportation costs have at least tripled. Before the crisis it cost $1,875 to transport a 40-foot container, today it costs $6,150.”
Amount of international fees
Freight rates from Rotterdam to Shanghai rose 50%, or $323, to $975 per 40-foot container. Prices from Shanghai to Los Angeles rose 38%, or $1,070 to $3,860 per FEU. Additionally, Shanghai to New York prices increased 35%, or from $1,474 to $5,644 per 40-foot container.
Similarly, prices from Shanghai to Genoa increased by 21%, or $1,069 to $6,282 per FEU. Shanghai to Rotterdam prices rose 12%, or $545 to $4,951 per 40-foot container. Also, prices from New York to Rotterdam rose 2%, or $9, to $608 per 40-foot container.
However, prices from Los Angeles to Shanghai fell 1%, or $4, to $762. Fares between Rotterdam and New York remained constant. Drury expects east-west point ratios to increase in the coming weeks due to the Red Sea and Suez situation.
Houthi: “We are not trying to expand attacks”
The Houthi her Yemen They have said they do not want to expand attacks on ships Red Sea Around that, beyond their stated goals of isolating Israel and retaliating against American and British airstrikes.
In an interview with Reuters, Rep Muhammad AbdulsalamThe lead Houthi negotiator in peace talks for the country's decade-long civil war has said the group has no plans to target its longtime rivals Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
“We don't want the escalation to escalate. That is not our request. We imposed the terms of engagement in which not a drop of blood would be shed and there would be no heavy material loss,” Abdulslam said. “This is only pressure on Israel, it is not pressure on any country in the world.”
They promise a “safe passage” to Russia and China
Meanwhile, in a press conference given Mohammed Al-BuhaytiA member of the Houthi Supreme Political Council, in today's paper Newspaper Izvestia He said there was no threat to China and Russia's maritime traffic A safe path They are from the Red Sea.
“Crazy and stupid America Against them the United Kingdom proceeds: Now there are no ships They cannot pass through one of the world's major trade routes. “The losses to the attacking countries are more than the losses to Yemen,” said Mohammed Al Buhayti, a member of the Houthi Supreme Political Council.
“As for other countries, including China and Russia, the Shipping No threat in the area. “We are ready to guarantee the safe passage of their ships through the Red Sea,” the head of the movement added.
