While some routes like Shanghai to Jebel Ali saw rates drop from $8,000 to $5,700 per 40ft container, the broader disruption persists. Fertilizer exports face a “logistical nightmare” as trucks carry 30-tonne loads versus ships’ 30,000+ tonne capacities. Industry leaders warn backlogs could take months to clear, with ports prioritizing essentials like food and medical supplies, leaving non-urgent goods stranded.

A car manufacturer’s shipments remain stuck in Mozambique, underscoring the crisis’s global ripple effects.