Cape of Good Hope sees surge in ship traffic amid Middle East conflict

by | May 5, 2026

Cape of Good Hope ship traffic surge, Red Sea shipping crisis, Houthi movement attacks shipping, Iran maritime disruption, Suez Canal alternative route, South Africa shipping routes, Port of Durban trade impact, Port of Cape Town shipping bypass, maritime security risks Africa, illegal sea activity risk, shipping rerouting Asia Europe, tugboat LEO grounding incident, Richards Bay coal exports growth
Despite rising ship traffic, most vessels bypass Durban and Cape Town, while Richards Bay coal exports grew over 10% in 2025.

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Ship traffic around the Cape of Good Hope has more than doubled since late 2023. This change has been driven by attacks from Houthi forces in the Red Sea and wider disruptions linked to Iran. Many shipping companies have chosen to avoid the Suez Canal route and instead sail around the southern tip of Africa. This has made the Cape one of the busiest sea routes in the world again.

Despite the increase in passing ships, most vessels are not stopping at ports such as Durban or Cape Town. They are simply passing by on longer journeys between Asia and Europe. This means that while traffic has increased, local ports are not seeing the full economic benefit. At the same time, authorities have raised concerns about a higher risk of illegal activities at sea, including smuggling and unregulated ship movements.

There have also been safety incidents. A Nigerian tugboat named LEO recently ran aground, leading to one death while twelve crew members were rescued. This incident has highlighted the dangers linked to heavier maritime traffic and the need for strong monitoring and rescue systems along the coast.

On the economic side, there are some positive signs. Coal exports from Richards Bay increased by more than 10% in 2025, showing continued extraction of resources.

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