Shell declined to comment on a report that it had halted shipments through the Red Sea amid attacks on cargo by Iran-linked Houthi rebels.
The Wall Street Journal said the oil and gas major made the decision last week to avoid the short route to Europe via the Suez Canal indefinitely.
The newspaper said, citing a number of sources, that there are fears within the company about launching American and British strikes on Houthi targets. Yemen They could be met with further escalation, putting crews and vessels at greater risk.
The Wall Street Journal also expressed concerns that a successful attack could lead to a massive leak in the area.
Follow the live broadcast of the Middle East: The United States seizes Iranian weapons destined for the Houthis
Attacks on ships by the Houthis, who say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, have disrupted global trade since November last year.
Missiles hit two ships in the Red Sea this week despite a US-led naval operation to protect navigation.
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“Lights are flashing red on the global dashboard.”
In the last incident, empty Greek-owned bulk carrier MT Zografia was reportedly bombed While sailing from Vietnam to Israel.
Sources at the Greek Ministry of Shipping told Reuters news agency that none of the 24 crew members were harmed.
The ship “Gibraltar Eagle”, which flies the flag of the Marshall Islands, had previously been hit by a missile, leading to a fire in the cargo hold.
About 12% of global trade passes through the Red Sea, and there are growing concerns that a prolonged period of turmoil could pose a threat to easing inflation – in Europe in particular.
Sky News reported last Friday how the cost of a container had jumped more than 300% since November, as prices took into account longer transit times and additional costs for crew, fuel and insurance.
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How do shipping attacks affect shoppers?
About 12% of global trade passes through the Red Sea in peacetime because it takes at least 10 days of journeys to Europe from Asia.
Read more:
Who are the Houthis?
Iran condemns the US-British attacks on Yemen
The bulk of this traffic must now bypass the Red Sea and the Suez Canal and pass around the coast of Africa instead.
Shell rival BP revealed just before Christmas that it had made the decision to convert, along with major container shipping operators.
The consequences of the additional costs have not yet been felt by consumers, but, according to industry figures, they are due to be passed through the supply chain in the coming weeks and months.
Yuvraj Narayan, DP World's chief financial officer for ports and shipping, told Reuters that the disruption would hit European consumers hard.
“The cost of goods coming into Europe from Asia will be much higher,” he said at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
“European consumers will feel the pain… it will hit developed economies more than it will hit developing economies.”
