A relook at the risks that massive container ships can pose is needed.
A desert storm that blew over the Suez Canal early morning on March 23, threw billions of dollars of goods off course, exposing the potential trade disruptions that giant ships such as the ‘Ever Given’ can cause, particularly while navigating the Suez Canal. This narrow, man-made waterway stretch, which is a key artery for shipping goods between Asia and Europe, carries some 12 per cent of global trade.
As container carriers went ballistic a few years ago by betting big on mega box ships for economies of scale on long-haul trades, the attendant risks associated with size was probably glossed over. This was until Tuesday’s freak incident that caused a maritime traffic jam and the world started fretting over the disruptions it has caused to the supply chain.
Archegos and how it impacts markets and investors
For global trade, already reeling under soaring freight rates, equipment shortages and space crunch on ships in the wake of disruptions triggered by the pandemic, the grounding of the ‘Ever Given’ could not have come at a worse time.
The disruptions from the closure of the Canal could last for months and port congestion, equipment shortages and capacity shortages on ships are set to intensify.
Experts say that there are virtually no alternatives to Suez Canal for shipping goods via Europe and Asia, except to take a longer detour via the Cape of Good Hope, which adds extra two weeks and further costs to shipments.
To be sure, the Canal has not seen anything like this for years. The last time the waterway was blocked was in 2004 when an oil tanker got stuck and was closed for three days.
The magnitude of the current blockage is much bigger because goods shipped in containers have been the biggest casualty, hurting global markets trying to bounce back from the pandemic.
The key takeaway from the incident is that bigger ships create bigger problems. Taking a fresh look at the jumbo-sized problems that these ships bring in risk terms would be in order.
News courtesy The Business Line.
From India, New Delhi
421A desert storm that blew over the Suez Canal early morning on March 23, threw billions of dollars of goods off course, exposing the potential trade disruptions that giant ships such as the ‘Ever Given’ can cause, particularly while navigating the Suez Canal. This narrow, man-made waterway stretch, which is a key artery for shipping goods between Asia and Europe, carries some 12 per cent of global trade.
As container carriers went ballistic a few years ago by betting big on mega box ships for economies of scale on long-haul trades, the attendant risks associated with size was probably glossed over. This was until Tuesday’s freak incident that caused a maritime traffic jam and the world started fretting over the disruptions it has caused to the supply chain.
Archegos and how it impacts markets and investors
For global trade, already reeling under soaring freight rates, equipment shortages and space crunch on ships in the wake of disruptions triggered by the pandemic, the grounding of the ‘Ever Given’ could not have come at a worse time.
The disruptions from the closure of the Canal could last for months and port congestion, equipment shortages and capacity shortages on ships are set to intensify.
Experts say that there are virtually no alternatives to Suez Canal for shipping goods via Europe and Asia, except to take a longer detour via the Cape of Good Hope, which adds extra two weeks and further costs to shipments.
To be sure, the Canal has not seen anything like this for years. The last time the waterway was blocked was in 2004 when an oil tanker got stuck and was closed for three days.
The magnitude of the current blockage is much bigger because goods shipped in containers have been the biggest casualty, hurting global markets trying to bounce back from the pandemic.
The key takeaway from the incident is that bigger ships create bigger problems. Taking a fresh look at the jumbo-sized problems that these ships bring in risk terms would be in order.
News courtesy The Business Line.
From India, New Delhi
Dear Kumar,
The ship has been freed on 30th March 2021 and the normal trade has resumed. Where is the problem now? Check the following link:
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/03...nal-stuck-ship
Managing the supply chain is always a complex issue. Some disruptions are always common.
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
The ship has been freed on 30th March 2021 and the normal trade has resumed. Where is the problem now? Check the following link:
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/03...nal-stuck-ship
Managing the supply chain is always a complex issue. Some disruptions are always common.
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
Risk is part of life.Businesses cater for such risks.Nations cater for risks.
As a matter of fact,in 1956,Britain fought with Egypt when suez canal was nationalised.
Suez canal has remained a vital artery, like Malaca Straits.
Keeping it open is important for all nations.
There is literally no way to prevent such accidents and businesses and nations will have to adjust,reorient,build reserves etc or wait for longer period when ships go round Cape of Good hope.
By and large,Suez has remained open for decades with rare incidents resulting in blockage.Such tests are necessary for businesses and nations to cross check on contingency plans.
From India, Pune
As a matter of fact,in 1956,Britain fought with Egypt when suez canal was nationalised.
Suez canal has remained a vital artery, like Malaca Straits.
Keeping it open is important for all nations.
There is literally no way to prevent such accidents and businesses and nations will have to adjust,reorient,build reserves etc or wait for longer period when ships go round Cape of Good hope.
By and large,Suez has remained open for decades with rare incidents resulting in blockage.Such tests are necessary for businesses and nations to cross check on contingency plans.
From India, Pune
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