BERLIN, July 6 (Reuters) - German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd said on Monday that its SE3 service would sail via the Red Sea route instead of rounding the Cape of Good Hope with immediate effect.

"The route via the Red Sea is the most efficient route for these voyages and enables us to offer our customers a more direct and faster connection between Asia and Europe," the company said.

"The safety of our crews, vessels and our customers’ cargo remains our top priority," it said, adding that it would continue to monitor the situation.