Red Sea attacks could raise prices for U.S. consumers

Attacks on Red Sea shipping might raise prices for consumers because cargo carriers take longer routes to avoid dangerous waters for now.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen first struck cargo ships with drones and missiles this month, in what they claim is retaliation for Israel’s actions in the Gaza war. The disruptions caused shipping giants Maersk, CMA CGM and COSCO to reroute shipments around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, maneuvers that are increasingly costly to shippers and consumers.

Houthi attacks upend trade as ships are forced long way around Africa

As of Tuesday, shipping carriers expect most services to avoid the Red Sea through China’s Lunar New Year festival, said Ryan Petersen, CEO of Flexport, a logistics technology company. The two weeks leading up to the celebrations is a peak period for shippers, who rush to deliver goods before the holiday, which starts Feb. 10.

Experts say the costs of rerouting vessels around South Africa or through the Panama Canal will increase prices for consumer goods shipped from Asia to the U.S. East Coast.

“It’s about an 8 percent longer journey, which is going to drive prices up quite a bit for ocean freight — that’s a material impact on prices for the goods themselves,” Petersen said. The rising costs will affect the price of “most of the stuff that you see in all the stores,” other than food, raw materials, and energy, he added.

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