Severe Weather Halts Container Traffic at Cape of Good Hope

Extreme weather conditions near the Cape of Good Hope have brought container traffic to a standstill this week, reports LSEG Shipping Research.

"We have a complete stop at the Cape of Good Hope for container ships – east and west. There is no significant change in Red Sea traffic so far, but several container ships have made turnarounds and/or are waiting off the coast of Durban," stated Fabrice Maille, global head of Shipping & Agriculture at LSEG.

Since July 8, daily transit and vessel location data from the LSEG Workspace Interactive Map have shown no container vessels passing the Cape, adding to the congestion and delays already worsened by the Red Sea crisis. The Interactive Map indicates marine weather with waves over 10 meters high.

Isaac Hankes, senior weather analyst at LSEG, observed that these waves coincided with a strong cyclone that impacted the region last Sunday, bringing temperatures well below normal. "This was a powerful cyclone, but we are not seeing anything extraordinary in the data. Similar events occurred in early June. These events are akin to a cold air outbreak in the South African winter," Hankes commented.

Hankes also noted that another cyclone is likely to impact South Africa later this week, potentially continuing the disruption to shipping. However, the Antarctic Oscillation (AAO) is expected to move into its positive phase soon, which could signal an end to the strong cyclones.

This situation aligns with LSEG Commodities' recent forecast predicting a potentially record-breaking Atlantic hurricane season this year, following the exceptionally strong storm Beryl.

In related incidents, dozens of containers fell overboard from the CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin during rough seas off the South African coast on its westbound voyage from Asia to Europe. The French carrier reported that 44 containers were lost, and 30 more were damaged due to "unexpectedly strong adverse weather conditions." CMA CGM assured that no crew injuries, pollution, or major vessel damage occurred and that all lost containers held harmless goods. The vessel will proceed to Cape Town for a thorough assessment.

Maritime claims consultant WK Webster mentioned the possibility of claims for cargo loss or damage, with cargo surveyors ready to assess the damage.

South Africa's coastline, particularly between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, experienced severe weather at the start of the week, including strong winds, high waves, and heavy rain.

Maersk has advised customers of a recovery plan for its Mesawa service, which connects India and the Middle East with West Africa via South Africa. The service, jointly offered with CMA CGM, has faced delays. The CMA CGM Masai Mara, Kribi, and Lebu have adjusted schedules to ensure coverage in South Africa and weekly arrivals into Jebel Ali. Additionally, Singapore-based carrier ONE announced that due to adverse weather, the M/V ONE Reassurance will skip its Cape Town call, with cargo redirected to Durban.

The impact of this severe weather highlights the vulnerability of global shipping routes to extreme climatic events and underscores the need for robust contingency planning in the shipping industry.