Gaza conflict disrupts Red Sea shipping

Significant Delays Following U.S. Strikes in Yemen

Maritime transport through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal is experiencing fresh delays following U.S. airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen and the renewed conflict in Israel and Gaza. Analysts now predict it will take at least an additional six months before major container lines resume normal operations.

Most carriers continue to bypass Africa due to the high risk of Houthi missile attacks. A few smaller Asian carriers, mainly Chinese, still operate in the area, but overall traffic through the Suez Canal remains limited.

Extended travel times and increased distances may lead to a reduction in the availability of ships

If tensions escalate further—especially with increased Iranian involvement—the disruptions could extend until the end of 2025. These disturbances in the Red Sea benefit the shipping market by increasing travel distances, as ships now navigate around the Cape of Good Hope, which lengthens transit times and tightens the supply of vessels across all sectors.

Source: Reuters