Terrorist attacks in the Red Sea, which moves around 30% of the world’s trade, have threatened the safety of crews and cargo, forcing carriers to divert to routes around the Cape of Good Hope. This has already cost more than 80 billion US dollars in cargo, adding at least 2 to 3 weeks to the voyage and hundreds of thousands in additional fuel and labour costs compared to travelling through the Suez Canal, pointed out more than 100 trade associations from around the world in a joint letter, recalling that this route is even more challenging during the Southern Hemisphere winter months.

“Maritime safety and security is vital for our collective industries, and the overall global economy. It is imperative that governments unite behind a zero-tolerance approach to deter attacks on commercial vessels and seafarers in the Red Sea, and anywhere in the world. The prosperity of millions of people who are employed in our industries and the global maritime industry depends on safe and secure freedom of navigation”, reads the Red Sea Coalition joint open letter.

These route changes are also causing equipment shortages and soaring shipping rates around the world, all of which have inflationary implications, not to mention that global transport is already strained by reduced access to the drought-ridden Panama Canal.

“Widespread participation and cooperation among nations is essential to signal the importance of free and fair treatment in international waters”, conclude the organisations, calling on countries that have not yet joined or aligned with the mission of Operation Prosperity Guardian to do so.

Signatories to the letter include organisations such as the European Footwear Federation (CEC) and some of its members, including the Portuguese Footwear, Components, Leather Goods Association (APICCAPS), the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), the Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America (FDRA), the Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association (ABIT), and the Leathergoods And Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB), among others.