The crisis that the Suez Canal has been facing for months leaves a good example of the extent to which maritime transport networks are interconnected in the 21st century. frightened The congestion of container ships that have left the Red Sea to avoid Houthi attacks and are now heading to Europe via Africa is being felt strongly at Spain’s docks. And better in terms of activity, as reflected by data from the port of Algeciras, which only saw refueling in May (refueling) increased by 20%.

The reason: Ships that previously passed through the Suez Canal and stopped at Greece or Italy on their routes between Asia and Europe are now turning their attention to Spanish ports.

Rearrangement of routes. There are few sectors as interconnected on an international scale as logistics and maritime traffic. This is not the first time we have seen this, but the Suez Canal crisis leaves a clear example that directly affects Spain. We have previously talked to you about what happened in the Red Sea waters at the end of 2023: The Houthis’ attacks on Western container ships passing through the Red Sea paved the way for industry giants such as Maersk months ago. or Hapag-Lloyd to seek alternatives to ships traveling between Asia and Europe.

His alternative was the Cape of Good Hope route, which circumnavigated Africa and entered Europe via ports in Spain or northern Morocco. Thus, ships that had hitherto passed the Suez Canal and called at ports in Greece, Malta or Italy began to adopt a new route, which was much safer, although it added a dozen days to the route and required more fuel.

draft decision. The change is important for several reasons. First, it is estimated that 12 to 15 percent of world trade passes through the Red Sea. Secondly, except for some shipping companies (for example, of Chinese origin) that were not threatened by Yemeni militias, the rest had at one time chosen to escape across the Red Sea and go around the Cape of Good Hope. Country It states that the original route through the Suez Canal accommodated less than 40% of its ships.

There are estimates that there has been a 90% drop in container ship transit in Alden Bay in just six months.

Spain’s role. The Red Sea crisis was also felt in Spain’s ports, with rising freight rates and container congestion, but it also turned the docks of Algeciras, Valencia and Barcelona into entry points for goods into Europe. The ports acknowledged the impact of the crisis in its latest monthly statement, where it attributed the traffic increase recorded between January and April to “temporary reasons” such as “traffic driven by the Red Sea crisis”. They even had their best start of the last decade in Las Palmas.

The new scenario also brings logistical challenges. At the end of April, the Asociación de Transportes Empresaris de Containerrs published a statement explaining that the increase in traffic in the port of Barcelona due to the Suez Canal crisis directly affected the union.

“The cumulative effect caused by the Red Sea crisis, which caused very high workloads in the weeks when container ships arrived at the Catalan port, has further compounded the problem, meaning waits of up to three hours at the entrance to the port terminals”, he slipped.

“Boom” refueling in Algeciras. The situation of Algeciras is equally interesting. Its operations increased by 3 to 4 percent in the first four months of the year, but above all the increase in service provision is notable, coinciding with the realignment of stops and routes in Asia-Europe due to the Canal crisis. Suez. The Association of Algeciras Bay Service Companies says its turnover has increased by 7% since the start of the Red Sea crisis. However, if there is one feature that stands out, it is refuelingThis is how refueling ships is known in the industry.

Southern Europe It ensures that in May alone, activity in the port of Algeciras increased by 20% compared to the same month in 2023. “It is growing due to the amount of supply rather than the number of operations,” says the president. Organization by Gerardo Landaluce. One possible explanation is that ships filled their fuel tanks as much as possible on their new routes.

Gibraltar and the Canary Islands. “The Strait of Gibraltar is structured as a powerful facilitator of territory and reallocation of routes. It is therefore doubly strategic, although it is also true that other Spanish ports have organized and captured part of the realignment of services in the Mediterranean.” Landaluce’s notes.

Another point where fuel demand is strongly felt in Spain is Las Palmas. Earlier this year, Canarias7 stated: refueling The port experienced a significant increase in demand; In particular, it was mentioned that supply reserves had tripled.

singapore gauge. The ports of Algeciras and Las Palmas are not the only ones noticing the change. The increase in fuel demand was also felt strongly in the major port. refueling of the world, Singapore. In February, Bloomberg reported that sales of marine fuel in the country were up 12% year-on-year, reaching 5.1 million tons in December, the highest monthly level since at least 1995.

“Demand for Singapore has increased because it is almost the last stop before going to the Indian Ocean,” said Simon Neo, director of consultancy firm SDE International Pte. The increase in demand is explained by the fact that journeys are taking longer. They are forced to deviate around the Cape of Good Hope, and some ships choose to increase their speed to shorten the time.

Pictures | Port of Algeciras

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