The volatile situation in the Red Sea could have a major impact on shipping rates and lead times in the short term.

According to a report in The Maritime Executive, the security situation in the Red Sea is continuing to escalate, prompting several shipping companies to announce that they have suspended all sailings in the region. The actions by some of the world’s largest container shipping companies come as the naval forces of the US and UK, as well as other allies including Egypt, have all reportedly taken down drones launched from the Houthi-controlled regions of Yemen. Security consultants and the international alliance in the region have confirmed an escalation in the attacks coming from Houthi militants in recent weeks.

Last Friday, one of Hapag-Lloyd’s large container ships was struck by a missile that caused damage and a small fire. The crew was able to extinguish the fire and the vessel continued its passage, leaving the danger zone.

Shipping company CMA issued a statement, reporting that it is implementing preventive measures for navigation in the Red Sea. “We have decided to instruct all CMA CGM containerships in the area that are scheduled to pass through the Red Sea to reach safe areas and pause their journey in safe waters with immediate effect until further notice.” The move follows a similar decision by Maersk, which paused Red Sea sailings a day after one of its ships was attacked.

Stephen Garrity, head of Inbound Development at shipping specialist The Warrant Group, told Toy World: “ We’ve been closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Red Sea. The suspension of Red Sea transits is set to profoundly impact UK importers and exporters. We’re anticipating considerable changes in transit times, available capacity and freight rates. These alterations are due to rerouting of ships and heightened safety measures. For UK businesses reliant on efficient and cost-effective shipping, this presents a complex challenge. We at Warrant are committed to providing timely updates and strategic solutions to navigate these disruptions effectively.”

While December and January are not major stock-moving months for the toy market, outdoor toy suppliers and companies bringing product into the UK for Easter will no doubt be monitoring the situation closely. As well as UK importers, US toy companies could also be affected if the security risks in the region persist into the New Year.