Red Sea attacks push global firms to seek overland shipping alternatives

Some companies are working to bypass the Red Sea and ship overland through the Arabian Peninsula due to attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Israeli software startup Trucknet Enterprise Ltd. is sending goods from ports in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain overland via Saudi Arabia and Jordan to Israel, and then on to Europe. Cargo from India, China and other Asian countries has been sent along this route in recent weeks, Bloomberg reported.

Other companies are exploring alternatives to the Red Sea. Reuters reported in December that the Swedish home appliance manufacturer Electrolux set up a task force to study alternative routes, while the French food company Danone told the outlet that it would explore different sea and road routes should the Red Sea situation continue.

Spokespeople for Electrolux and Danone did not immediately respond to Al-Monitor’s request for further details.