Chokepoints › Cape of Good Hope
Cape of Good Hope shipping traffic
South Africa · Daily ship transits from IMF PortWatch, latest day Nov 8, 2026.
Traffic is close to its 90-day average (7-day average 77.9 ships a day vs 88.1).
Daily transits, last 30 days
Bright bars: tankers. Faded bars: all other ships.
Why the Cape of Good Hope matters
The Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa is not a strait but the main alternative to the Suez-Red Sea route between Asia and Europe. Sailing around it adds about 10 to 14 days to an Asia-Europe voyage, more fuel and more ships needed for the same weekly service. Traffic here rises when ships avoid the Red Sea and falls back as they return, so it is the mirror image of Bab el-Mandeb. That makes it a useful check on container freight rates, bunker fuel demand and delivery times into Europe.
Markets to watch
- Container freight rates: Longer voyages absorb fleet capacity and raise rates.
- Bunker fuel demand: The detour burns far more fuel per voyage.
- European import costs and delivery times: Goods from Asia arrive later and cost more to ship.
Related
Other chokepoints: Bab el-Mandeb, Suez Canal, Strait of Gibraltar.
FAQ
How many ships pass through the Cape of Good Hope each day?
In the 7 days to Nov 8, 2026, an average of 77.9 ships a day passed through the Cape of Good Hope, including 15.9 tankers, against 88.1 a day over the previous 90 days. Counts come from IMF PortWatch satellite AIS data.
How much longer is the route around the Cape of Good Hope?
Compared with the Suez Canal, sailing from Asia to northern Europe around the Cape adds about 10 to 14 days, depending on the ports and ship speed.
Why does Cape of Good Hope traffic rise?
When the Red Sea route is unsafe, ships that would use Bab el-Mandeb and Suez sail around Africa instead, so traffic at the Cape climbs as Red Sea traffic falls.