Government: "Restrictions on Suez and Panama Canal Transit Have Limited Impact on Korean Exports"... Considering Alternative Route Switch

Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Holds 2nd Export Emergency Response Team Meeting
"Export Shipments Operating Normally"
Continuous Monitoring of Local Factories in the US and Europe

Amid global maritime logistics disruptions caused by the attack on a Yemeni rebel cargo ship in the Red Sea Strait (Suez Canal) and navigation restrictions in the Panama Canal due to drought, the direct impact on South Korea's exports is currently assessed to be limited.

On the 20th, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held the 2nd Emergency Export Countermeasure Meeting chaired by Kim Wanki, Director General of the Trade and Investment Office, to review the situation of maritime logistics disruptions in the Red Sea route and Panama Canal.

As a result of the review meeting, the direct impact on South Korea's exports due to maritime logistics disruptions in the Red Sea Strait and Panama Canal remains limited so far.

According to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and the Korea International Trade Association, as of last year, the number of vessels passing through the Red Sea Strait (Suez Canal) was 23,000, accounting for 12% of global maritime cargo volume. The Panama Canal sees about 14,000 vessels passing through.

An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated, "Exports from South Korea to Europe and North America are proceeding normally, while some global shipping companies are switching to or considering alternative routes bypassing the Red Sea Strait and Panama Canal. Local production plants of our companies in the U.S. and Europe, such as those for automobiles and batteries, have sufficiently stocked parts supplied from South Korea, so there has been no direct impact identified so far."

However, concerns remain over delivery delays and increased freight costs due to prolonged maritime logistics disruptions and route diversions. Director Kim said, "The ongoing drought in the Panama Canal combined with geopolitical risks in the Red Sea route raises concerns about maritime logistics delays and freight cost increases. We will make every effort to prevent any negative impact on the recent favorable export trend by actively seeking solutions to corporate difficulties in cooperation with related agencies, along with support measures such as the export voucher program."