Red Sea Delays Changed the Math

Let me show you what the Red Sea disruption actually added to your cost. Before the rerouting, Asia to US East Coast standard ocean freight, roughly 28 days. After rerouting around Africa, same route, 38 to 42 days, sometimes more. That extra time in transit is not free. More fuel, $1,000 more per voyage minimum. Higher war risk insurance premiums, up to 1% of the ship's value per crossing. Reduced global capacity—ships tied up longer means fewer available boxes. For DTC brands, that means longer lead times, which means higher safety stock, which means more cash tied up inventory that is sitting on a ship instead of selling. And if you rush shipments by air to cover delays, air freight from China to the US spiked nearly 90% during peak disruption. The Red Sea crisis did not just raise your freight invoice, it raised your inventory cost, your cash flow pressure, and your landed cost all at once. Tomorrow, how to know if your current rate reflects any of this or none of it.