The mass consumption value chain has warned that it is beginning to feel the impact of the Red Sea crisis, commercial route that hosts about 15% of world maritime trade and approximately 30% of the global volume of container ships, according to Aecoc in a statement.

Specifically, the situation of tension that is being experienced in the area is ‘forcing’ the main shipping companies in the world to explore alternative maritime routes to avoid the conflict, the most common one they have chosen being a detour through the south of Africa, increasing the duration of the crossing by about 10 days, which increases fuel consumption and navigation times. This scenario is causing The price of containers for this route could triplegoing from 1,000 euros per container to 3,000 euros.

Furthermore, with the arrival of the Chinese Lunar New Year, celebrated on February 10, and the traditional increase in demand that comes with this period, the cost of maritime transport could increase even more drastically, leading to a greater increase in freight prices during the next few weeks.

Thus, The employers’ association of mass consumption shows its “concern” due to the increase in costs that they are suffering and that, if they persist over time, “could have a direct impact on the final price of the product”, something that the sector “wants to avoid” in order not to fuel the current inflationary context. On the other hand, companies are beginning to encounter difficulties in the supply of certain raw materials, and even finished products such as textiles and furniture.

Therefore, they are taking preventive measures, anticipating their purchases of certain products to avoid possible supply chain disruptions in future consumption scenarios. The situation on the Red Sea route also entails environmental consequences, since the diversion of merchant ships along the southern African route significantly increases emissions from maritime transport in the EU. A fact that becomes especially relevant after the entry into force in January of the ETS (new emission rights regime) for European ports.