Suez: When everyone is looking in one direction

Currently all eyes are on vessels traveling from the Far East to the North West continent, and the impact is known with an extra 10 days on the round trip around the Cape of Good Hope.

As it goes, the impact on Eastern Mediterranean is much more dramatic. Ships coming from Far East rounding the Cape will have to add a transshipment in the ports like Tanger Med or Giao Tauro for East-Med Cargo. Transit time impact will be here an added 21 days or more on the complete trip from Far East.

And if that is not enough, cargo destined for Red Sea ports north of the Houthi influence zone will have to take the long way via transshipments in the Mediterranean and then go through Suez North to South, deliver and return South to North again.
Another option is to hold this cargo in Singapore or discharge it in a transshipment port between Singapore and Red Sea in a holding zone until the air clears.

Eastbound cargo from North West Europe to Far East will also be obliged to take the round trip around the Cape of Good Hope. This will also add another 10 days to the voyage. Doing this will mean that the cargo will arrive in Far East at the time of Chinese New Year (10th February 2024). This will surely impose extra issues in these ports which typically have congestion issues around that time of year.

Watching the current situation and its possible effects is important. All will depend on how quickly a solution for the Houthi treat will be put in place. Paying close attention to these changes is crucial for understanding their big impact and what might happen.