Geopolitical Uncertainty and Infrastructure Constraints Shaping Logistics Flows Across IMEA Region

TLDR

• East Africa's logistics sector is under pressure due to strong agricultural export demand, port congestion, and disruptions along key maritime corridors.
• Geopolitical uncertainty, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea trade routes, is affecting shipping operations and supply chain predictability in the region.
• Vessel waiting times vary, with significant delays reported in Tema and Abidjan, and high yard density in Colombo, Salalah, and Jeddah impacting operations.
• Maersk has responded by reconfiguring networks, rerouting vessels, and introducing alternative gateways to maintain cargo flow.
• The logistics market in East Africa remained active in July, driven by agricultural exports from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, with preparations underway for Tanzania's cashew export campaign.