Brent, WTI futures fall more than 2 per barrel
Shipping firms prepare to resume journeys through Suez Canal
US crude oil stocks fell by 7.1 million barrels last week EIA

BENGALURU, Dec 28 Reuters Oil prices fell 3 on Thursday as more shipping companies said they were ready to transit the Red Sea route, easing concerns about supply disruptions as Middle Eastern tensions stay elevated.

The more active Brent crude futures for March delivery were down 2.35, or 3, at 77.19 by 205 p.m. ET 1905 GMT . Brent futures for February delivery , which expire after Thursday39;s settlement, fell 1.6 to 78.40 a barrel.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell by 2.21, or 3, to 71.90 a barrel. On Wednesday, oil prices dropped nearly 2 on Wednesday as major shipping firms began returning to the Red Sea.

Denmark39;s Maersk will route almost all container vessels sailing between Asia and Europe through the Suez Canal from now, and divert only a handful around Africa, a Reuters breakdown of the group39;s schedule showed on Thursday.

France39;s CMA CGM is also increasing the number of vessels travelling through the Suez Canal, it said earlier in the week.

The perception is that the Red Sea route is reopening and will bring supply to market weeks faster, Price Futures Group analyst Phil Flynn said.

Major shipping companies stopped using Red Sea routes and the Suez Canal earlier this month after Yemen39;s Houthi militant group began targeting vessels.

At the same time, a…