What are the congestion points in global maritime trade

What would happen if, all of a sudden, global trade came to a halt?

Imagine for a couple of seconds that a ship runs aground in a strait, a military conflict breaks out on a vital route, or simply, a monumental traffic jam blocks the flow of goods.

Within hours, oil prices skyrocket, delivery times multiply, and companies around the world go into crisis mode.

What once seemed like an efficient and well-oiled logistics system becomes a problem with consequences that reach every corner of the planet.

You might remember the chaos at the Suez Canal when the Ever Given got stranded in 2021, blocking traffic for six days and causing losses of over $9 billion per day.

But that’s not an isolated case. Every day, global trade faces bottlenecks at strategic points like the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Bosphorus and Dardanelles, or the Strait of Gibraltar, trade arteries that, when congested, don’t just affect large shipping companies, but also impact industries, governments, and consumers.

That’s why, if you operate in or depend on maritime trade, there’s something you need to be clear about: you must stay ahead.

Are you ready to understand how these points can change the game and, most importantly, how to stay one step ahead?

What is a congestion point in maritime routes?

When we talk about a congestion point in maritime routes, we refer to a specific area in international trade where vessel traffic slows down or stops due to a buildup of ships waiting for their turn to cross, unload goods, or continue their journey.

These bottlenecks can be caused by a combination of physical, operational, geopolitical, and climatic factors.

To understand it better, imagine a multi-lane highway where hundreds of trucks transport goods from factories to supermarkets. Now, place a narrow tunnel in the middle of the road, where only a few vehicles can pass at a time. If just one breaks down or if there’s too much traffic, everything stops and delays spread in a chain reaction.

Main maritime trade chokepoints

In simple terms, maritime trade is the circulatory system of the global economy.

Every day, thousands of vessels transport products that sustain our industries, markets, and daily lives.

However, just like traffic in a big city, this system faces issues that can delay shipments, increase costs, and trigger negative effects.

Let’s look at the main ones and why they’re so problematic.

Suez Canal: the artery between East and West

Located in Egypt, it’s one of the most strategic trade routes in the world. It allows passage between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, avoiding the long and costly journey around the African continent. That’s why it’s become a high-risk point.

As we mentioned, in 2021 the entire world witnessed the consequences of the Suez blockage when the Ever Given was out of service for six days, causing massive losses.

But beyond isolated incidents, the canal faces structural problems: its capacity remains limited and, during times of high demand or adverse weather conditions, wait times are long. Plus, geopolitical tensions in the region add uncertainty to its operations.

Strait of Malacca: the bottleneck of Asian trade

This area connects the Indian Ocean with the Pacific and is the main maritime route between Asia and the rest of the world. It’s estimated that a third of global maritime trade passes through here, with constant traffic of oil tankers, container ships, and cargo vessels.

The problem is that it’s only about 2.7 kilometers wide at its narrowest point. On top of that, piracy remains a threat, making navigation even more complicated.

Panama Canal: a marvel with limits

It’s a golden standard, especially for trade between the U.S. East Coast and Asia. Since its expansion in 2016, its capacity has improved, but it still faces congestion issues and, more recently, a water crisis that limits the number of daily transits.

The effects of climate change have lowered water levels in Gatun Lake, forcing authorities to restrict the number of ships passing through, which causes delays and additional costs for shipping companies.

Strait of Hormuz: the world’s oil faucet

About 20% of the world’s oil passes through here, making it a key player in global energy security.

Its issue isn’t just the congestion from heavy tanker traffic, but also the geopolitical tension in the region. Conflicts between Iran and Western powers have led to threats of closure on multiple occasions.

Ports of China and the United States: the invisible breakdowns

In recent years, ports like Shanghai, Ningbo, and Los Angeles - Long Beach have been major bottlenecks due to demand spikes, health restrictions, and logistical problems.

Long lines of ships waiting to unload have caused disruptions in supply chains, raising costs and causing product shortages in some markets.

Even though port digitalization and automation are proposed solutions, infrastructure investment remains key.

Bab el-Mandeb: the gate of terror and hope

Located between Yemen and Djibouti, it’s the main vital connection between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, an essential passage for maritime traffic between Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Nearly 10% of global oil trade passes through it, making it a key player on the geopolitical map.

However, Bab el-Mandeb is not just a gateway, but also a hotspot of tension. Piracy in the Gulf of Aden, political instability in Yemen, and the growing militarization of the area have turned this strait into a ticking time bomb.

In fact, a single attack or partial closure can send oil prices soaring and trigger disruptions in supply chains.

Bosphorus and Dardanelles: The bottleneck of Eurasian trade

If Bab el-Mandeb is the artery of oil, the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits are the bottleneck that regulates the flow between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.

In this case, Turkey controls both and, although under normal conditions traffic is smooth, geopolitics always has the final say.

Why are they so crucial? Because through these areas, millions of tons of oil, gas, and grain flow, mainly from Russia, Ukraine, and other Black Sea countries.

In times of tensión, such as the current war in Ukraine, any restriction on maritime traffic affects Europe’s energy security and destabilizes global markets.

Additionally, the Bosphorus is a very narrow strait, with just 700 meters at its narrowest point, so maneuvers by large vessels are a challenge, and any incident can lead to days of waiting or temporary blockages.

Strait of Gibraltar: The sentinel of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean

With only 14 kilometers in width at its narrowest point, it’s the mandatory passage between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, and one of the busiest routes on the planet.

Every day, hundreds of ships cross the area transporting goods between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. However, being a bottleneck, any issue, from a maritime accident to a diplomatic crisis between Spain, the United Kingdom, and Morocco, can trigger a monumental jam.

At KENSA Logistics we offer solutions to mitigate the problem.

As you can see, maritime trade is a network of arteries that keeps the world in motion.

However, these routes have critical points where congestion can paralyze operations, raise costs, and jeopardize the stability of supply chains.

From the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, with its complex geopolitical situation, to the Bosphorus and Dardanelles, where traffic and regulations can slow down trade, to the Strait of Gibraltar, a key passage connecting continents: all these points represent constant challenges for companies like yours that depend on maritime transport to keep growing.

But here comes the question: what can you do in this scenario?

The reality is that these bottlenecks won’t disappear. On the contrary, with the growth of international trade, maritime traffic will continue to increase and so will the associated risks.

However, the difference between a problem and an opportunity lies in the ability to anticipate and react wisely. And that’s where we come in.

At KENSA Logistics we turn uncertainty into smart solutions.

We know that for businesses that rely on maritime trade, delays are not just numbers in a report: they’re held orders, unsatisfied customers, and profit margins at risk.

That’s why we offer personalized strategies to minimize the impacts of maritime congestion, optimizing routes, diversifying transport options, and ensuring your cargo reaches its destination as efficiently as possible.

Every day we reaffirm that, in logistics, time is money and foresight is the best tool to keep your business running. So the question is: ¿are you going to let problems set the pace for your company, or will you take control with a smart logistics strategy?

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