Skip to main content

Yemen: Snapshot on Shipping, Food and Fuel Imports, March 2016

Countries
Yemen
Sources
Logistics Cluster
Publication date
Origin
View original

During March and February 2016, the number of ships berthing, as well as the volume of food and fuel imports into Yemen decreased compared to the past months. This has led to a decrease in the availability of both food and fuel in local markets, resulting once more in an increase in prices. This month’s imports represent 8% of the estimated monthly fuel requirements.

Monthly food imports and price fluctuation
Due to the intensified conflict and airstrikes occurring in March in several governorates including Taizz, Sa’ada, Hajja, Shabwah, Marib, Al Jawf, Sana’a and Al Bayda, essential commodities continued to be sporadically available in local markets*. General food imports in March decreased by 32% compared to February, and by 47% compared to January 2016. On average, food prices in March were 15% higher than pre-crisis level.

Monthly fuel imports
Fuel imports in March remained low with 43,572 MT of fuel imported. As reported last month, there has been a sharp decrease in fuel imports in February with 78,887 MT imported, compared to 464,138 MT imported in January. The March imports represent 8% of the average monthly fuel needs of 544,000 MT.

Status of the vessels at ports per month
In March the number of berthed ships in Yemeni ports of Al Hudaydah, Saleef and Aden remained almost unvaried compared to February 2016. The number of vessels at anchorage decreased to 37 %, with 22 anchored in March, compared to 58 in February. This can be attribuited to delays at the ports and lack of infrastructure.

Average delays in entering ports (Feb – March 2016)
Despite the decrease in the number of ships entering Yemen, delays still exist in all major ports. The main reasons for the delays are the reduced operational capacities of the seaports, together with rapidly changing security situations. The highest delay at anchorage in March was recorded for Saleef port with a vessels waiting for berth for 26 days, while Al Hudaydah Port experienced an average delay of 20 days of anchorage.