In 2024, the number of deep-sea port calls in the Red Sea dropped significantly by an average of 85%, according to a Sea-Intelligence report. This steep decline has deeply impacted the container shipping industry. The Eastern Mediterranean had already been experiencing a downturn in port calls, but the situation worsened in January 2024, with a month-on-month drop of 22%. The overall decrease for the region in 2024 was 33%, mirroring similar trends in the Gulf of Aden, where port calls dropped from about 100 to 60-70 monthly. Although there was some recovery by July 2024, the numbers remain below pre-crisis levels.
Jeddah and King Abdullah Port were the hardest hit in the Red Sea, with Jeddah seeing a 74% decrease in port calls from December 2023 to January 2024. While there was a small rebound by mid-2024, the overall performance remains weak compared to pre-crisis averages.
The report also noted that schedule reliability has improved in the Red Sea and East Mediterranean, but the Gulf of Aden continues to struggle, with vessel delays still a major issue.
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