A container ship crosses the Gulf of Suez towards the Red Sea before entering the Suez Canal, east of Cairo. Reuters
A container ship crosses the Gulf of Suez towards the Red Sea before entering the Suez Canal, east of Cairo. Reuters
A container ship crosses the Gulf of Suez towards the Red Sea before entering the Suez Canal, east of Cairo. Reuters
A container ship crosses the Gulf of Suez towards the Red Sea before entering the Suez Canal, east of Cairo. Reuters

Exporters looking for safer air and land routes to avoid Red Sea attacks


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Exporters are looking to find alternative air, land and ocean routes to transport everyday items such as apparel, tea and car parts to retailers as the wave of attacks continue in the Red Sea.

Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen have stepped up attacks on vessels in the Red Sea since November 19 to show support for Gaza.

The attacks have disrupted a key trade route linking Europe and North America with Asia through the Suez Canal.

Container shipping costs have surged as companies seek to move goods via other, often longer, ocean routes.

If there are extended disruptions, the consumer goods sector that supplies the world's top retailers such as Walmart and Ikea will face the biggest impact, S&P Global said in a report.

Alan Baer, chief executive of OL USA, has teams advising shipping and logistics clients to prepare for at least 90 days of Red Sea disruptions.

“It doesn't help that it's Christmas weekend,” said Baer. “We'll have a quiet period from now until January 2, and then everybody will be frenetic.”

Some companies are already trying to switch to so-called intermodal transport, which can involve two or more modes of transport, said Jan Kleine-Lasthues, chief operating officer for air freight at German freight forwarder Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.

Hellmann has registered increased demand for combined air and sea routing for consumer goods such as apparel, as well as electronics and tech items.

That could mean goods being transported first by sea to a port in Dubai, where they are then loaded on to planes.

“This alternative route allows customers to avoid the danger zone in the Red Sea and the long voyage around the southern tip of Africa,” Mr Kleine-Lasthues told Reuters.

While companies moving urgent or critical items might opt to use air freight, the expense means it is not a blanket solution, said Paul Brashier, vice president of drayage and intermodal at supply chain group ITS Logistics.

Moving goods by air costs roughly five to 15 time more than by sea, where container shipping rates are still low by historical standards, said Brian Bourke, global chief commercial officer at Seko Logistics.

If the time it takes to get goods to shelves doubles, more shippers will switch to air – especially for high value goods such as designer clothing and high-end electronics, said Mr Bourke, who has already received queries from customers.

Major trade route

About 35,000 vessels sail through the Red Sea region annually, moving goods between Europe, the Middle East and Asia, representing about 10 per cent of global GDP, said Corey Ranslem, chief executive of British maritime risk advisory and security company Dryad Global.

US retailers including Walmart, Target, Macy's and Nike depend on the route to get goods ranging from cotton sheets and electric toothbrushes from India to footwear from China and Sri Lanka.

“Under an extended threat you will see the price of fuel and goods into Europe increase substantially because of the increased costs of diverting around Africa, which can add roughly 30 days to a transit depending on the arrival port,” Mr Ranslem said.

Shipping companies remain in the dark over a new international navy coalition being assembled by the US aimed at stabilising the area.

A Spanish fashion industry source told Reuters shipping lines were telling customers a lot was riding on the US-led task force and whether it can prevent more attacks and make the route safe again.

Meanwhile, large container ship owners have begun adding fees, including emergency surcharges, for cargo affected by the Red Sea disruptions.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.

Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.

Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.

For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae

 

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

Common OCD symptoms and how they manifest

Checking: the obsession or thoughts focus on some harm coming from things not being as they should, which usually centre around the theme of safety. For example, the obsession is “the building will burn down”, therefore the compulsion is checking that the oven is switched off.

Contamination: the obsession is focused on the presence of germs, dirt or harmful bacteria and how this will impact the person and/or their loved ones. For example, the obsession is “the floor is dirty; me and my family will get sick and die”, the compulsion is repetitive cleaning.

Orderliness: the obsession is a fear of sitting with uncomfortable feelings, or to prevent harm coming to oneself or others. Objectively there appears to be no logical link between the obsession and compulsion. For example,” I won’t feel right if the jars aren’t lined up” or “harm will come to my family if I don’t line up all the jars”, so the compulsion is therefore lining up the jars.

Intrusive thoughts: the intrusive thought is usually highly distressing and repetitive. Common examples may include thoughts of perpetrating violence towards others, harming others, or questions over one’s character or deeds, usually in conflict with the person’s true values. An example would be: “I think I might hurt my family”, which in turn leads to the compulsion of avoiding social gatherings.

Hoarding: the intrusive thought is the overvaluing of objects or possessions, while the compulsion is stashing or hoarding these items and refusing to let them go. For example, “this newspaper may come in useful one day”, therefore, the compulsion is hoarding newspapers instead of discarding them the next day.

Source: Dr Robert Chandler, clinical psychologist at Lighthouse Arabia

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Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
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Rating: 2/5

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Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

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  • 600-seat auditorium
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Transmission: 9-speed auto

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Updated: December 21, 2023, 6:08 AM`