Escalating attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militia on Red Sea shipping routes have prompted a notable shift in logistics strategies, with manufacturers increasingly opting for air freight.
The Red Sea serves as a critical passage for approximately 12 percent of global shipping traffic, posing challenges due to ongoing disruptions. While sea freight remains a dominant choice, recent data indicates a 91 percent week-on-week surge in rates on the China-to-Europe air route.
Companies such as Kühne+Nagel, Korean Air Cargo, Schenker, Bollore Logistics, and C.H. Robinson are actively securing additional air freight space to navigate the challenges posed by the attacks. The crisis is reshaping supply chain dynamics, pushing manufacturers to consider multi-modal routes combining sea and air transport. Industry experts anticipate a continued trend toward increased air freight conversion as the Red Sea situation persists.
