Mining giant BHP Group is rerouting nearly all its shipments from Asia to Europe, bypassing the Red Sea, as reported by individuals familiar with the situation. This move aligns with decisions made by other companies such as Shell, BP, and Qatar Energy.

BHP shipments originating from Asia are now taking a lengthier route to reach Europe, crossing the Red Sea and instead passing through the southern tip of Africa, specifically the Cape of Good Hope, according to sources.

According to industry experts, this alternative route adds nine days and covers several thousand additional nautical miles to the journey compared to the more direct passage through the Red Sea, which involves transiting the Suez Canal.

A spokesperson from BHP mentioned that the majority of the company's shipments do not follow the Red Sea route. Additionally, the spokesperson stated that BHP has not encountered significant business disruptions thus far.

Freedom of navigation 

As companies rerouted their ships from crossing the Red Sea to using the Cape of Good Hope, it is worth noting that the Yemeni Armed Forces have stressed repeatedly that all ships are free and safe to make their trips as long as they are not involved in the ban. The ban includes Israeli ships, Israeli-affiliated ships, and ships heading to ports in occupied Palestine.

On that note, earlier in January, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Sanaa, Hussein al-Ezzi, responded to what he referred to as "false and misleading" narratives promoted by the US, Britain, and Germany, regarding the security of navigation in the Red Sea.

Al-Ezzi expressed that Yemen reaffirms the safety and security of navigation for all destinations except the ports of Israeli-occupied Palestine. He stressed that Sanaa aims through this limited, temporary measure to "lift the brutal siege imposed on the residents of Gaza," calling it a humanitarian duty.