Severe storm conditions off the coast of South Africa have temporarily stopped vessel movements.

CMA CGM BF

Source: GEMALINK

CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin

This heavy weather adds another layer of complexity to pre-existing supply chain delays caused by shipping lines avoiding the Red Sea region to avoid Houthi rebel attacks.

Shipping lines transiting around the Cape of Good Hope have been forced to seek shelter from high winds and waves over 33 ft (10 m). No containerships have passed the cape since July 9, whilst numerous ships have either turned around or are waiting off Durban.

One of CMA CGM containerships, the CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin, is reported to have lost 44 containers at sea as a result of the weather conditions off the coast of South Africa on Monday.

The sea conditions are a result of a strong cyclone, with another expected imminently.