World: Shipping lines raise freight prices for some coffee routes

Shipping companies that transport coffee in containers have raised freight prices on some routes as a result of attacks in the Red Sea that have forced ships to take detours, the International Coffee Organization (ICO) reported on Wednesday. The Iran-backed Houthi group, which controls much of Yemen, including the capital, has attacked commercial ships in the Red Sea that it claims have links to Israel or are sailing to the Jewish state, in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. . The Houthis said on Wednesday they had "attacked" a container ship operated by CMA CGM, just days after another attack on a Maersk ship. The ICO said in a report that the situation in the region led some shipping lines to divert their voyages to reduce risks. "Thus, for Southeast Asian and East African coffee en route to Europe, unintended consequences include an increase in freight costs, as some shipping companies have introduced surcharges to take into account the now extended transit times "said the ...