The conflict in the Middle East has changed international trade routes at sea. In the aftermath of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, containerships have been opting to bypass the Suez Canal and navigate around South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope.
This shift has disrupted a crucial global shipping route, adding another 15 days to vessel journeys, accompanied by increased costs. Despite the Cape of Good Hope route requiring an extra 4,000 miles around Africa, it is considered a safer alternative by many container lines.
However, the Cape Route is fraught with its own problems, and this week it is bad weather. High seas off South Africa are continuing to disrupt most shipping in the region with forecasters warning of more storms to come. Several of South Africa’s primary ports remain closed due to the high winds while an analysis shows the weather has brought container traffic to a standstill in the region.
SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) reports an urgent salvage operation is underway after an abandoned cargo ship washed ashore Tuesday night. SAMSA is taking steps to prevent a large oil spill reporting the vessel is loaded with low-sulphur bunker fuel as well as hydraulic and other oils. They also determined that the vessel was carrying a cargo of bagged fertilizer.
The crew of the Panama-registered general cargo ship abandoned their vessel early on Monday after it took on a severe list in heavy weather off the South African coast. The region is being impacted by a series of strong cold fronts causing widespread damage and raising concerns as vessels continue to reroute around the African cape.
SAMSA received a signal at 0300 local time from an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) which was determined to be coming from the cargo ship Ultra Galaxy (13,800 dwt). The ship which is 408 feet (124.5 meters) in length was approximately 60 nautical miles west of Doring Bay on the west coast of South Africa north of Cape Town.
Shipping industry observers had raised concerns about the conditions ships would encounter at what is now the height of the winter season in South Africa. With most shipping diverting from the Red Sea, they will be exposed to the harsh winter conditions while sailing the Cape of Good Hope routing. Many of the diverted ships are also seeking to bunker in South Africa.
Maersk on Monday issued an extreme weather warning for the South African Coast. They highlighted that vessels are expected to seek shelter/alter course to avoid the weather which would have its worst impact in the region near Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape region. They cautioned that strong winds, high waves, and heavy rain are forecasted over the next few days, especially between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, and would impact vessel movement and operations.
Maersk had previously warned that it was anticipating delays for its vessels. It, like most major carriers, is diverting vessels around the Cape due to the security problems for the Red Sea routes.
Also see this related article from our archives: The Red Sea – Shippers Need a Plan B
For up-to-date information about shipping and cargo, talk to us here at Colless Young. As Customs Brokers and International Freight Forwarders, we offer you correct, professional advice on your import and export freight, by air or sea. We are based in Brisbane and handle your international transport needs, including Customs clearance & quarantine procedures, warehousing and trucking – at all Australian ports and airports.
