Manufactures worried over supply chain hitch on Hormuz crisis

Manufacturers in Kenya are reporting serious disruptions tied to uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz, a choke point for global energy and shipping. According to the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), 78.6% of manufacturers have been affected since the uncertainty began in February, with 92% reporting delays in receiving shipments. Average lead times reportedly doubled from 28 days to nearly 60 days, while 35.7% saw sea freight increases above 30%. Shipping a standard 20-foot container, once $1,000–$2,000, rose to $3,000–more than $4,000 on some routes, and 40-foot containers climbed from under $2,000 to as much as $10,000. KAM attributes the surge to war-risk surcharges, vessel diversions, and higher marine insurance, while Kenya relies heavily on Gulf petroleum imports.