Charterers are trying to force ship owners not to bypass the Suez Canal

Companies that trade in agricultural products and ore demand that shipowners continue operations in the Suez Canal, despite the crisis in the Red Sea.

Companies trading in iron ore and grain are threatening legal action against leading shipowners. They are trying to change the terms of the contract to force shipowners to use the route through the Suez Canal, the Financial Times  reports.

Due to the threat of shelling from the Yemeni Houthis, most ship operators have diverted almost all flights that normally use the Suez Canal to a longer route via the Cape of Good Hope.

However, some companies wishing to charter dry cargoes ask to exclude the “martial law” clause from the contracts.

It said some charterers routinely tell shipowners that current conditions off Yemen are “not dangerous enough” to change routes. It will be recalled that since November of last year, militants have carried out more than 30 attacks on ships in the Red Sea.

However, charterers can seek damages for late delivery of diverted goods, according to a lawyer who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Recently, a US destroyer shot down another Houthi cruise missile in the Red Sea.

USM also previously wrote that since Russia’s withdrawal from the Grain Agreement, Russia has attacked Ukrainia n ports with all types of weapons more than 30 times.