Ever Given, the ship that blocked Suez Canal in March, crosses the canal again The Suez Canal is one of the world's most important trading route, which was opened in year 1869. By 2021, approximately fifty ships travelled through the canal and this comprises about 12% of total global trade at a time. In March 2021, the Suez Canal was blocked for six days after the grounding of the Ever Given, a 20 000 TEU container ship. The 400m long (13000. Ft) vessel was buffeted by strong winds on the morning on the 23 March 2021, and ended up wedged across the waterway with its bow and stern stuck in the canal banks. On the 28 March 2021, at least 369 ships were queuing to pass through the canal. This prevented an estimated US$9,6 billion worth of trade. Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-56505413.amp TASK You have been appointed as a Supply chain manager of Transnet South Africa by Portia Derby the Chief Executive Officer.

She has mentioned to you that COVID-19 will permanently change the supply chain of many transportation companies and these consequences will affect the purchasing decisions when making a transportation mode selection. She also stated that the pandemic has fundamentally changed the globe and many bottlenecks have risen during the pandemic. Mrs. Derby has mentioned that Transnet has been affected by the Suez Canal obstruction. You are required to research this incident and advise Mrs. Portia Derby the CEO of Transnet South Africa on the following issues. You may use the following link to commence with your research: https://www.earthdate.org/episodes/suez-traffic-jam Your report should focus on the following issues:

1. Situation Analysis: Assess the current situation that the Suez Canal is currently facing.

2. Discuss how COVID-19 has impacted and changed the supply chain of transportation?

3. Analyze consumer behaviour decisions which have impacted the choice of selecting transportation during the Suez Canal blockage.

4. Examine the Suez Canal blockage that has impacted businesses when sourcing from international markets during the time of the obstruction.

5. Examine the business's positioning strategy that has changed from before and during the Suez Canal blockage and assess the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected the demand for shipping transportation.

6. Provide a revised supply chain management strategy GOING FORWARD on how a business can improve its confidence and prevent any further negative impacts such as other bottlenecks occurring

1.1 Title page, Table of contents and Problem Statement (5 marks)

1.2 Situation analysis (10 marks)

1.3 How COVID-19 impacted and changed the supply chain of transportation (15 marks)

1.4 Consumer behaviour and impact on transportation selection mode (15 marks)

1.5 How the Suez Canal impacted businesses when sourcing from international markets (10 marks)

1.6 Positioning strategy (15 marks)

1.7 Revised supply chain management strategy GOING FORWARD (20 marks)

1.8 References and Presentation (10 marks)