Kenyan logistics and shipping companies are facing up to double freight costs, higher premiums and delays following the attacks at the Red Sea channel.
Shippers and importers say the disruptions have resulted in expensive changes to them and clients.
Freight charges have gone up by between 70 percent to 100 percent depending on the company.
Transit time has also stretched from around 14 days to 48 days.
“The Red Sea attacks have greatly affected the shipping routes since shipping lines are now using a longer route to get goods into the country,” said Superb Cargo Shipping Agency Limited.
“Usual transit time if direct can be anything between 10 to 14 days. Now it’s close to 48 days and change [freight costs] percentage wise usually depends on the shipping line, some by 100 percent others by 70 per cent.”
Shipping companies have been forced to reroute their containers following the recent attacks at the Red Sea by Houthi, Yemen-based militants.
Maersk, a Danish shipping giant announced on Tuesday that following an attack on its vessel on December 30, the company has paused all transits through the Red Sea or the Gulf of Aden until further notice.
The global logistics firms operating in Kenya and East Africa said vessels will be rerouted and continue their journey Read more on theeastafrican
