A large freighter is currently stuck in the Suez Canal, likely limiting the availability of the PlayStation 5 in the process. Since releasing last November, Sony's PlayStation 5 has proved to be as elusive as it is appealing. While preorders flooded in for the next-gen console, numerous retailers have struggled to adapt due to production shortages. The supply simply could not satisfy the demand.

The emergence of online scalpers combined with the financial struggles brought on by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a dearth of viable options for consumers. The reports have been disturbing; some scalpers have even gone as far as to charge double the original price to exploit the situation. Restocks have remained largely sporadic, and when they appear, they never tend to last more than a couple of seconds.

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The problem currently unfolding in the Suez Canal is only making matters worse. Push Square reports that a huge freighter as long as the Empire State Building has broken down, blocking the passage of smaller ships and interrupting multiple supply chains. The Suez Canal is an important trade route located in Egypt that is responsible for roughly 12% of global trade. The waterway connects Asia and Europe. Sony has already struggled to find solutions for product shortages since the pandemic started. There are fears that the Suez Canal blockade will very likely delay estimated product shipping times. This may end up negatively affecting Sony's ability to process and ship orders to overseas markets, including the United States.

playstation 5 resolution will not support 1440p

Despite the ongoing difficulties, the PlayStation 5 still had a successful launch. Sony beat strong competition from Microsoft and Nintendo by selling more PS5s than the Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch.  Those who have been lucky enough to purchase the PlayStation 5 have reported relatively smooth playing experiences so far. However, the vast majority of gamers have limited options when it comes to getting the extremely popular console: they must either wait for retail stores to be restocked or buy from an online scalper, which involves paying an inflated rate.

PlayStation 5 stock remains very low and the Suez Canal blockage may increase the product's scarcity. Considering all of this, the Suez Canal situation is likely to only complicate things further. The supply chain was already fragile and the accumulation of boats along the Suez Canal is creating issues that may take several months to solve.

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Source: Push Square