MSC and CMA CGM suspend their sailings in the Red Sea

Following Maersk, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and CMA CGM decided to stop ship voyages due to attacks in the Red Sea. While MSC announced that they would not pass through the Suez Canal until safe passage is ensured, CMA CGM instructed all container ships to reach safe zones and pause their journeys.

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), one of the world’s largest container companies, said in a statement after its ship, MSC PALATIUM III, was attacked in the Red Sea on December 15: “MSC ships will not pass through the Suez Canal in the east and west directions until the Red Sea passage becomes safe.” he said.

In the statement made by MSC, the attack on the commercial ship named MSC PALATIUM III in the Red Sea was cited as the reason for stopping the voyages, and said: “On December 15, 2023, the container ship named MSC PALATIUM III was attacked while transiting through the Red Sea on the Messina Line. All crew were safe and no injuries were reported, the ship sustained minor fire damage and was taken out of service. Due to this incident and to protect the life and safety of our sailors, MSC ships will not transit the Suez Canal in east and west directions until the Red Sea passage becomes safe. Some sailings will be rerouted to pass via the Cape of Good Hope. This disruption will affect the sailing schedules of ships booked for the Suez crossing for several days. “We ask for your understanding under these serious circumstances.”

The French company also made the same decision

In the statement made on the official website of the France-based container company CMA CGM, it was stated that they were deeply concerned about the attacks in the Red Sea and said, “CMA CGM Group is deeply concerned about the recent attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea Region. We have been taking increasingly preventive measures in recent days to ensure the safety of our ships and their crews sailing in these waters. The situation is getting worse and security concerns are increasing. Therefore, we have decided to instruct all CMA CGM container ships in the area scheduled to transit the Red Sea to reach safe zones and suspend their voyages with immediate effect until further notice. “CMA CGM takes all necessary steps to protect transportation services for its customers.”