Red Sea diversions cause congestion at African ports

Shipping companies sailing around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are facing challenges in finding places to refuel and replenish supplies. The African ports are overwhelmed with red tape, congestion, and poor equipment, making it difficult for ships to dock for replenishment. This has led to hundreds of large ships circling the southern tip of Africa to avoid the attacks, resulting in longer routes and increased oil prices and freight rates.

South Africa’s major ports, such as Durban, Cape Town, and Ngqura, are struggling to handle the increased traffic, according to the World Bank 2022 index. Other major ports along the Cape route, such as Mombasa in Kenya and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, are also ill-equipped for the expected traffic. Rough weather and bureaucracy add to the challenges, with some ships being detained for suspected violations.

As a result, shipping companies are trying to find alternative options for refueling, such as at their origin or destination, or at ports like Walvis Bay in Namibia or Port Louis in Mauritius. The disruptions caused by the Houthi attacks have led to an increase in demand for refueling, with South Africa expecting a record high in heating oil imports in December due to the crisis.

Source .