East African countries are facing delays in the delivery of goods as severe weather conditions near the Cape of Good Hope have halted container traffic this week, LSEG Shipping Research reports.

This disruption is adding to the challenges, as container shipping around the Cape of Good Hope has surged this year to avoid Middle East due to missile and drone attacks by Iranian-backed Houthis in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea.

LSEG's Workspace Interactive Map has shown no containerships passing the Cape of Good Hope since the beginning of the week.

This has increased congestion and delays, exacerbated by the Red Sea crisis. The map indicates marine weather with waves exceeding 10 meters.

"We have a complete stop at the Cape of Good Hope for containerships, both east and west," said Fabrice Maille, Global Head of Shipping & Agriculture at LSEG is quoted by gCaptain."There is no significant change in Red Sea traffic so far, but several containerships have turned around or are waiting off the coast of Durban."

Isaac Hankes, Senior Weather Analyst at LSEG, noted that the waves off the South African coast coincided with a strong cyclone that impacted the region last Sunday, bringing temperatures well below normal.

"This was a powerful cyclone with winds generating the waves, but the data does not show anything extraordinary. Similar events occurred in early June, comparable to a cold air outbreak in the South African winter," said Mr Hankes.

Mr Hankes added that another cyclone is expected to impact South Africa later this week, potentially continuing shipping issues. However, the Antarctic Oscillation (AAO) moving into its positive phase may signal the end of strong cyclones after this week.