War-driven trade shifts expose whales to growing collision

Whales have become indirect victims of the war in the Middle East, as the rerouting of maritime traffic away from the Suez Canal has significantly increased the risk of collisions between cargo vessels and marine life off the coast of South Africa, scientists warn.

According to a report presented to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and cited by BFM, the number of commercial ships passing near the Cape of Good Hope has nearly doubled following incidents in the Red Sea and the decline in traffic through the Suez Canal.

Researchers found that between March and April 2026, an average of 89 vessels per day used this route, compared with 44 during the same period in 2023. The rise in fast-moving ships is considered particularly hazardous.

Collisions with vessels remain one of the leading causes of whale mortality, posing a heightened threat to species such as humpback whales and southern right whales, which seasonally inhabit waters off South Africa’s coast.

Environmental experts suggest partially rerouting shipping lanes, estimating this could reduce collision risks by 20–50% while only slightly increasing voyage distances. They are also exploring the use of artificial intelligence-based monitoring systems and specialised maritime applications to track whale movements and reduce incidents.

By Tamilla Hasanova