Disruption to shipping in the Red Sea has led to Irish export businesses being advised to engage with their freight carriers and look at their supply chains as the situation in the Middle East region continues.
Due to attacks by Houthi militants, there is growing concerns on its impact on commercial shipping which could affect supply chains for months ahead.
The level of shipping activity comes close to 20% of global trade that transits through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, at its narrowest point is just 18 nautical miles at the southern end of the Red Sea.
The instability in the region is leading to elevated spot freight rates and delays to container lead times.
On the western periphery of Europe, Ireland's location means it is at the end of the supply chain and therefore there is a limited availability of containers which in effect will have an acute impact here.
Commenting on the Red Sea situation, Irish Exporters Association CEO, Simon McKeever, said, "We're beginning to hear from our members that looking out to February and March that spot rates are beginning to be affected."
More RTE News reports on the impact to business.
