Fluent Cargo, a global provider of routing solutions and tracker of international shipping, has reported new data revealing that disruptions in the Red Sea are driving a major realignment of shipping routes. Asia-Europe capacity has dropped by 33%, according to exclusive figures.
CEO Archival Garcia told Freshfruitportal.com that the rerouting is having a significant impact. ‘Ships are being diverted around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, adding about 3,500 nautical miles to their journeys,’ he explained.
Garcia provided context by explaining that vessels are now avoiding the Suez Canal, which handles 10% of global seaborne trade, and reverting to the longer maritime route the Canal was built to replace in 1869. ‘This isn’t just a minor detour; it’s a fundamental disruption to established global trade routes,’ he emphasized.
The Red Sea crisis, which began in October last year, has severely disrupted global shipping. Attacks on dozens of merchant vessels have forced hundreds of commercial ships to reroute around South Africa. Garcia called it a complex situation that ‘has effectively compromised one of the world’s most vital maritime trade routes.’
This disruption has hit the fresh produce trade particularly hard, as shipping times directly impact product quality and value. ‘For perishable goods like fruits and vegetables, longer transit times don’t just delay delivery—they also reduce product freshness and market value,’ Garcia explained. ‘This has created a difficult scenario where extended shipping times and higher costs are squeezing the margins of both growers and distributors.’
The key challenge now is transportation, especially for growers in the Southern Hemisphere, including those in Brazil, Colombia, South Africa, Chile, and Peru. Garcia pointed out that drought-related delays at the Panama Canal, coupled with security concerns in the Red Sea, have caused significant disruptions to the Suez Canal route.
‘For Southern Hemisphere producers who rely on these waterways to deliver off-season produce to global markets, these disruptions are threatening the reliability of supply chains,’ Garcia explained. ‘The impact goes beyond logistics, affecting product freshness, market timing, and the overall profitability of their operations.’
The effects of these disruptions extend to other critical areas, including global pricing and environmental sustainability. ‘The interconnected nature of modern trade means that disruptions in one region create ripple effects worldwide,’ Garcia noted. ‘Rising costs are putting additional pressure on an already fragile global economy and supply chain, impacting daily lives globally. Forced rerouting is leading to longer shipping distances, while some businesses have turned to air freight to meet delivery schedules. Additionally, increased road transport to avoid conflict zones is driving up global emissions.’
Among the perishable goods most affected are grapes, olives, coffee, avocados, and kiwi. Beyond fresh produce, essential commodities such as fuel, oils, and grains are also facing transportation challenges.
Addressing the crisis is complex and requires both short- and long-term solutions. One proposed strategy is to develop alternative routes that can ‘match or exceed the efficiency of the Suez Canal.’ In the interim, leveraging technology and data platforms like Fluent Cargo can help businesses optimize routing and logistics.
Garcia also highlighted Sensonomic, a Norwegian start-up, as a pioneer in transforming raw agricultural data into actionable insights. ‘This innovation is paving the way for more profitable, sustainable, and regenerative farming practices,’ he said. ‘While tools like yield predictors and harvest planners are essential for growers, a reliable supply chain is equally critical to fully capitalize on productive seasons,’ he added.
