Chokepoints
Seven narrow places that decide when your order arrives.
Each one has its own failure modes, its own alternative route, and its own warning signs. These pages set out what we watch and why.
Bab el-Mandeb and the Red Sea
Critical12°35′N 43°20′E
Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal
Alternative
Around the Cape of Good Hope — 10–14 days added on Asia–Europe sailingsStrait of Hormuz
Elevated26°34′N 56°15′E
The Gulf to the Arabian Sea
Alternative
Limited overland pipelines — No sea alternative for most cargoStrait of Malacca
Stable1°26′N 102°53′E
Indian Ocean to the South China Sea
Alternative
Sunda or Lombok straits — Roughly 3–5 days addedTaiwan Strait
Critical24°30′N 119°30′E
The South China Sea to the East China Sea
Alternative
East of Taiwan via the Philippine Sea — 1–2 days added, with wider port congestion effectsPanama Canal
Elevated9°05′N 79°41′W
The Atlantic to the Pacific
Alternative
Around Cape Horn, or US land bridge — Up to 20 days added around South AmericaBlack Sea and the Turkish Straits
Elevated41°13′N 29°07′E
The Black Sea to the Mediterranean
Alternative
Rail and road through central Europe — Higher cost per tonne, far lower volumeUK ports and the Dover Strait
Stable51°57′N 1°17′E
Northern Europe to the UK
Alternative
Alternative UK ports, or unaccompanied freight — 1–3 days added, depending on congestion
Illustrative status — not a live assessment
See which of your lanes cross which chokepoints
We load a sample of your suppliers, run a live scenario, and show which orders would slip.