Middle East Crisis Triggers Cargo Deadlock at Sri Lankan Ports 📈

• Overall Impact: Recent military strikes in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have severely disrupted the US$ 19 Bn Japan-Korea used-car trade, leading to significant cargo diversions to Sri Lankan ports. • Port Congestion: The Hambantota Port and other local hubs are experiencing "panic" levels of congestion as vessels divert from Dubai. One shipment of 500+ vehicles was stranded at sea for over 10 days due to a lack of docking space in Sri Lanka. • Luxury & Commodity Trade: Approximately 50 high-end luxury vehicles, including Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and Rolls-Royces, are currently "stranded" or offloaded in Sri Lanka and China as they cannot reach Middle Eastern buyers. • Sector Vulnerabilities: Logistics: Shipping companies are demanding deposits of up to US$ 5,000 per car or threatening to return cargo to Japan. Used-Car Market: Sri Lanka remains a primary destination for compact Toyotas and Hondas, but the influx of diverted transshipment cargo is straining local infrastructure. Costs: Rising oil prices and freight rates are compounding pressures on small-scale exporters who rely on the UAE (which accounts for 15% of Japan's export volume). • Outlook: Based on industry reports, traders are in "wait-and-hold" mode. Prolonged conflict risks further storage costs and potential permanent rerouting of Asian exports away from traditional Middle Eastern hubs. _Source: Reuters (Provisional Data)_