Economics Minister Robert Habeck does not expect any major supply chain problems for the German economy due to the conflict with the Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
“So there are already delays in the supply chain because the ships are now taking the long way around,” said the Green politician on Tuesday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. But we can prepare for that. “Everyone tells me it’s a stretch again,” said Habeck. The transport costs do not play such a big role that there will be massive problems.
Since the beginning of the Gaza war between Israel and the Islamist Hamas, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have repeatedly attacked ships with alleged Israeli connections in the Red Sea. The USA and Great Britain responded with attacks on targets in Yemen. Large shipping companies are now increasingly avoiding the Red Sea route, through which around ten percent of world trade actually passes. (dpa)