In a significant disruption to global trade, over 100 container ships have altered their routes around southern Africa to avoid the Suez Canal. This rerouting is a response to Houthi rebels attacking vessels on the western coast of Yemen, adding approximately 6,000 nautical miles to their journeys. Shipping company Kuehne and Nagel have identified 103 affected ships, with more expected to follow suit.
The Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran, attribute their attacks to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. In response to the escalating situation, the United States has announced plans to lead a naval coalition to safeguard shipping in the Suez Canal, a critical route for about 19,000 ships annually, particularly for the transportation of fossil fuels and goods between Asia and Europe.
The diversions, which include ships capable of carrying 1.3 million 20ft containers, have broader implications. Major oil and gas tankers, including BP, have publicly disclosed their redirection, contributing to a spike in oil prices. The price of Brent crude oil futures, the global benchmark, rose by 1.2% above $80, impacting consumer energy tariffs and adding to inflation concerns.
Michael Aldwell, Kuehne and Nagel’s board member for sea logistics, highlights the potential consequences: “The extended time spent on the water is anticipated to absorb 20% of the global fleet capacity, leading to potential delays in the availability of shipping resources. Moreover, delays in returning empty equipment to Asia are likely to pose challenges, further impacting the overall reliability of supply chains.”
Companies worldwide, including major carmakers, are closely monitoring the situation to assess potential disruptions to their supply chains. The last significant unexpected closure of the Suez Canal occurred in March 2021 when the Ever Given container ship blocked passage for six days.
Fortunately, the disruption is not expected to impact the retail industry this Christmas, as stocks are typically built up in advance. However, an extended disturbance to shipping patterns could eventually result in shortages of products for consumers or parts for manufacturers. Some businesses have already shifted from “just-in-time” supply chains to a more resilient “just-in-case” model, incorporating additional emergency stockpiles of parts.
As the world navigates these challenges, the ongoing disruption coincides with a period when many factories temporarily shut down for Christmas, providing some breathing room for companies to manage their supply chains effectively. The situation underscores the delicate balance of global trade and the need for adaptability in the face of unforeseen geopolitical events.
