Companies trading commodities such as iron ore and grain have threatened legal action and sought to alter contract terms to pressure shipowners to use the Suez Canal route, which is more dangerous, but also cheaper and faster.
Many western vessel operators have diverted nearly all sailings that would normally use the Suez Canal and Red Sea to a longer route via the Cape of Good Hope since the pro-Palestinian Houthis started their attacks in November.
However, Michael Bodouroglou, chair of Athens-based Allseas Marine, said some companies seeking to charter his so called “dry bulk” ships had asked to take out of the contract a standard “wartime” clause.