MIDDLE EAST – A new examination of the impact of the disruptions caused by the round-of-Africa routing due to the Red Sea crisis on deployed capacity has revealed a nuanced impact on major East/West trade routes, particularly those emanating from Asia.

The comprehensive assessment was conducted to gauge the variations in offered capacity between the pre-crisis period and the current situation, focusing on changes up to the present date to provide a more accurate representation of the Red Sea crisis impact.

According to the Sea-Intelligence Trade Capacity Outlook database, the most substantial capacity contraction, in comparison to the planned deployment in mid-December, occurred on the Trans-pacific trade.

The Asia-North America East Coast trade lane witnessed a decline of -7.5%, while the Asia-North America West Coast trade lane experienced a -6.9% reduction.

In contrast, the capacity impact on the Asia-North Europe trade lane was a contraction of -4.9%, and the Asia-Mediterranean trade lane saw a relatively modest reduction of only -1.4%.

This data suggests that despite the considerable turmoil in vessel schedules due to the Red Sea crisis, the capacity offered from Asia to Europe has experienced only a marginal reduction.

It is crucial to note that the capacity reduction is measured against the planned schedules in mid-December, providing a snapshot of the variance between initial plans and the realized capacities until now.

Interestingly, the impact on the Trans-pacific trade is more pronounced, with a particularly noteworthy drawdown in capacity observed on the Asia-North America West Coast route.

Commenting on these findings, industry experts highlighted the resilience of the Asia-Europe trade lane amidst the Red Sea challenges.

“The data underscores the adaptability of shipping lines and their ability to navigate disruptions effectively. While the Transpacific trade has seen a more significant impact, the Asia-Europe routes have demonstrated a commendable stability in offered capacities despite the Red Sea crisis,” the experts noted.

As the shipping industry grapples with ongoing challenges, including global disruptions and geopolitical events, these insights into capacity changes provide a valuable perspective for stakeholders navigating the complex dynamics of international trade.

The data-driven analysis sheds light on the adaptability of shipping routes and offers a glimpse into how the industry responds to unforeseen challenges, such as those posed by the Red Sea crisis.

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