A hike in the Suez Canal surcharge from May 01, 2022, announced by the Suez Canal Authority, came as a blow to the rubber industry. The announcement added another layer of complexity as the cost of moving goods including rubber which relies on container ships would see a jump further weighing on the demand which is under duress due to China’s COVID-19 lockdown and tire manufacturers' closure of Eastern Europe factories and a disrupted supply chain.