May seem a bit odd - but a container ship stranding in the Suez Canal could affect deliveries from the Far East!
Most larger deliveries of goods, whether it be computers or models from China and the Far East will be carried by container.
Whether the Ever Given had any cargo of interest to us or not, the Canal is blocked. It could take weeks to unblock - and the backlog of container ships builds up........................
Some companies are considering re-routing around Africa but that will add time, and costs to freight. Air freight is expensive, and will only take up a certain amount of trade ( high value, low weight ) - so it looks like deliveries of the latest Asian produced models will take a delay...........................
I've been through the Suez Canal many times, at first it's exciting, but after a few passages, it's boring & tedious. There used to be a convoy system, as the canal wasn't wide enough for ships to pass. The north bound convoy ( 50 ships + ) would enter the canal & then anchor in the Bitter Lakes to await the southbound convoy, then when they had passed resume northwards. The ships were generally about 1/2km apart, going about 6-7 knots. To keep your distance you had to vary engine speed, so it would be 'up 3 revs' , 'down 3 revs' or 'STOPPP'. We took on board a pilot, and two small boats for a passage - these boats were there to carry lines to the canal bank in the event of a sandstorm , or break down.
Obviously things have changed somewhat in the past 35 years since I was last there - the ships have become huge, although increased size means actually less ships. There used to be regularly 100+ ships anchored & waiting to go through the canal.
Remember - when your favourite shop has 'out of stock' this could be the reason why...................
Dave
Most larger deliveries of goods, whether it be computers or models from China and the Far East will be carried by container.
Whether the Ever Given had any cargo of interest to us or not, the Canal is blocked. It could take weeks to unblock - and the backlog of container ships builds up........................
Some companies are considering re-routing around Africa but that will add time, and costs to freight. Air freight is expensive, and will only take up a certain amount of trade ( high value, low weight ) - so it looks like deliveries of the latest Asian produced models will take a delay...........................
I've been through the Suez Canal many times, at first it's exciting, but after a few passages, it's boring & tedious. There used to be a convoy system, as the canal wasn't wide enough for ships to pass. The north bound convoy ( 50 ships + ) would enter the canal & then anchor in the Bitter Lakes to await the southbound convoy, then when they had passed resume northwards. The ships were generally about 1/2km apart, going about 6-7 knots. To keep your distance you had to vary engine speed, so it would be 'up 3 revs' , 'down 3 revs' or 'STOPPP'. We took on board a pilot, and two small boats for a passage - these boats were there to carry lines to the canal bank in the event of a sandstorm , or break down.
Obviously things have changed somewhat in the past 35 years since I was last there - the ships have become huge, although increased size means actually less ships. There used to be regularly 100+ ships anchored & waiting to go through the canal.
Remember - when your favourite shop has 'out of stock' this could be the reason why...................
Dave
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