| The fighting in Lebanon which started after Hezbollah | | | | Amongst these are the difficulties that have been |
| militants kidnapped two Israeli soldiers and began | | | | created for the freight forwarding industry. |
| firing rockets into Northern Israel, is producing serious | | | | The British Chamber of Shipping recently declared the |
| consequences for the freight forwarding industry in | | | | coast of Lebanon and Israel a war zone which has |
| the Middle East. | | | | affected the cost and passage of freight in the |
| This article discusses what has caused the violence | | | | region. The declaration means that UK freight shipping |
| and the impact that it is having on the region's freight | | | | companies delivering cargo to the area will receive |
| industry. | | | | some kind of war bonus. The size of this bonus will |
| Hezbollah first emerged in Lebanon in the 1980s. It is | | | | depend on the contracts involved. |
| a terrorist organisation committed to the destruction | | | | According to recent reports by Arab News, Middle |
| and annihilation of the State of Israel. Funded by Iran | | | | East freight forwarding companies have increased |
| which has also expressed the desire to "wipe Israel | | | | their shipping rates to Lebanon by as much as |
| off the face of the earth", Hezbollah actions have | | | | between 33% and 63%. The price of forwarding a |
| recently provoked bitter fighting in Lebanon. | | | | twenty foot container is now between $550 and |
| On July 12th this year, Hezbollah militants kidnapped | | | | $900 whilst a forty foot container will cost around |
| two Israeli soldiers and started firing rockets at | | | | $1000 to transport. |
| towns in Northern Israel. This prompted Israel to | | | | It is hoped that a ceasefire agreement will come into |
| target Hezbollah positions in Lebanon to try and | | | | effect shortly. If this happens and if Hezbollah |
| rescue its soldiers and prevent further attacks on its | | | | militants are kept in line by the Lebanese army, the |
| civilians. | | | | freight forwarding industry in the Middle East may |
| Fighting has gradually escalated on both sides causing | | | | gradually return to normal. |
| significant civilian and economic problems in the region. | | | | |