Ikea warns of product delays after Red Sea attacks force ships to divert routes

Swedish furniture company Ikea has announced that some deliveries will experience delays and certain products will have limited availability. This is due to the diversion of shipping containers from the Red Sea. The safety of staff working in Ikea’s supply chain is the company’s priority, and alternative options are being evaluated to ensure product availability. Electrolux, the world’s largest appliance company, has also established a task force to find alternative routes and prioritize deliveries. Shipping giants Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, and CMA CGM have confirmed that they will divert ships around the longer Cape of Good Hope route in response to the recent wave of attacks in the Red Sea. The attacks, carried out by Houthi militants, have resulted in the diversion of billions of dollars’ worth of cargo. The impact of a newly formed U.S.-led task force on the situation remains uncertain. The delays are expected to have a significant impact on Europe due to its strong trade ties with Asia. Cargo bound for the Americas can potentially take longer routes via the Pacific.