Home
FacebookTwitterSearchMenu
  • Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • News
  • Features
  • Knowledge Library
  • Columns
  • Customs
  • Jobs
  • Directory
  • FX Rates
  • Contact us
    • Contact us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Send us news
    • Editorial Guidelines
Sea Freight

The Suez situation is a sign of changing trade times – maritime security analyst

28 Feb 2024 - by Eugene Goddard
Dr Moritz Brake, founding member of sea trade consultancy, Nexmaris. Source: LinkedIn
0 Comments

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
  • Print

The Suez Crisis is a pivot point of a unipolar world turning on its axis as it fractures into new bloc formations in a post-Covid continuum, not unlike pre-globalised trade affiliations, and dragging markets along into unfamiliar supply chain territory.

Speaking during a webinar on the shipping disruption that has resulted from Yemen’s Houthi rebels attacking maritime traffic in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, effectively paralysing Egypt’s biggest GDP contributor, maritime security expert Dr Moritz Brake said: “We’re not just talking about the disruption of shipping lines.”

Brake, who heads up maritime consultancy Nexmaris in Köln and is a senior fellow of CASSIS Think Tank at the University of Bonn, said the situation at the Suez is a symptom of a much bigger disruption of the current global economic order.

He said as noticeable as disruptions of important waterways such as the Suez are, its current destabilisation is “part of an overall plan – it’s intentional.

“You have to realise that this is not an accident. We’re not just dealing with another Ever Given scenario,” Brake said, referring to the March 2021 incident when an ultra-large container vessel got stuck in the southern channel of the Suez.

“We’re looking at major geopolitical actors causing a disruption here which doesn’t just attack shipping.

“It’s also a major test in the challenge and competition between Russia and Iran via the Houthis as a proxy, against the West, with at least the tacit backing of the Chinese.”

In responding to the Suez Crisis and its impact of leading lines sailing around Africa instead of using the risk-heavy shorter passage between Europe and Asia, the US and Europe must act accordingly, he said.

On the surface, the Houthi attacks and counter-attacks by combined naval forces have grabbed the world’s attention, impacting markets as far away as Germany, where industrial shutdowns have led to layoffs and increased economic pressure.

Ultimately there’s much more at play than headline-grabbing waterway disruption.

“It leads to a noticeable danger of solidifying blocs,” Brake said.

“Because of these attacks, certain trade structures will become more favourable than others. Existing competition between East and West is, in one way or another, supported by these attacks and the building of blocs.”

Caught in between, Brake warned attendees of the webinar organised by South Africa’s Maritime Business Council (MBC), are smaller countries dragged along in the wake of bigger economies becoming increasingly hostile to one another.

“It cannot be in the interest of many countries finding themselves in between. Who do they align with?”

He said as deplorable as it is that maritime traffic is targeted by countries with ulterior motives and agitating for de-globalised multipolarity, the missile strikes around the Horn of Africa should be seen for what is – a distraction.

“There is a bigger picture here,” Brake said.

  • This is the first of several reports from the MBC's webinar.
Sign up to our mailing list and get daily news headlines and weekly features directly to your inbox free.
Subscribe to receive print copies of Freight News Features to your door.

Shippers warned to monitor cargo closely during Untu strike

Logistics

Logistics company advises shippers to communicate concerns about urgent or time-sensitive cargo.

Yesterday
0 Comments

GNU targets livestock auctions after China bans SA beef

Imports and Exports
Yesterday
0 Comments

New tariff protection for South African wheat hits a snag

Imports and Exports

Itac request for comment for stronger tariff protection for locally produced wheat only protects brown flour.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Creecy outlines logistics sector reforms

Logistics

The government is continuing to collaborate with original equipment manufacturers to ensure that spare parts for essential machinery can be sourced.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Suez Canal offers toll reductions for large containerships

Logistics

“We are monitoring developments moment by moment and assessing the changing dynamics.” – Maersk.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Oil spill response in Red Sea under the spotlight

Sea Freight

Workshop focuses on equipping officials and responders with the skills and knowledge to manage and mitigate major marine pollution incidents.

Yesterday
0 Comments

President Ramaphosa to meet Trump in US

Economy

The engagement will focus on a range of bilateral, regional and global matters of mutual interest.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Belgium port strike on the cards

Imports and Exports

Port operator PSA Antwerp will suspend truck export deliveries ahead of the strike.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Soy, maize imports surge due to regional drought

Imports and Exports

Dry conditions across the subcontinent forced South Africa to import white maize for the first time since the 2016-17 drought.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Famers need beyond-banking assistance – futures specialist

Imports and Exports

Agricultural assistance also extends to analysing the South African Futures Exchange.

15 May 2025
0 Comments

SA a top target for cyber attacks

Technology

Increasing dependence on technology to deliver services means security risks are rising.

15 May 2025
0 Comments

Carbon capture solution cuts emissions by up to 70%

Sea Freight

The high technology system captures emissions from all exhaust gas sources.

15 May 2025
0 Comments
  • More

FeatureClick to view

The Cape 16 May 2025

Border Beat

The N4 Maputo Corridor crossing – congestion, crime and potholes
12 May 2025
Fuel-crime curbing causes tanker build-up at Moz border
08 May 2025
Border police turn the tide on illegal crossings
29 Apr 2025
More

Featured Jobs

New

Seafreight Export Controller

Tiger Recruitment
Cape Town
15 May
New

Import Manager (NVOCC)

Switch Recruit
Eastrand
15 May

Sales Co-Ordinator

Lee Botti & Associates
Cape Town
14 May
More Jobs
  • © Now Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Freight News RSS
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Send us news
  • Contact us