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Why did some shipping companies reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope?

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Red Sea Map showing the Red Sea and the countries surrounding it. The Red Sea is one of the most heavily traveled waterways in the world. It is about 1,200 miles (1,930 km) long, and its maximum width is about 190 miles (305 km).

Shipping companies began rerouting vessels around the Cape of Good Hope primarily to avoid the significant security risks posed by attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.12

Beginning in 2023, Houthi forces in Yemen launched missiles, drones, and direct attacks against ships transiting these waters in response to the Israel-Hamas War. These security threats created an environment of uncertainty that persisted even during periods of relative calm, as underlying regional tensions remained unresolved. By choosing to bypass the Suez Canal—which serves as a critical artery for global trade—shipping companies opted for the longer, more time-consuming route around the southern tip of Africa to ensure the safety of their crews and cargo. This shift in maritime traffic has had severe economic consequences, including a sharp decline in Suez Canal revenues and increased operational costs for the shipping industry.12345