But for all shippers, the threat of Somali piracy has nonetheless pushed up insurance costs and forced vessels to make expensive detours.

ECONOMIST: Shipping in east Africa

Treece asked people to plan for an extra hour to make their way through detours around the collapsed bridge.

NPR: NTSB Says Wash. Bridge Collapse Is Wake-Up Call

But these problems result mainly from the lengthy detours that calls must make to keep within German regulations.

ECONOMIST: German telecoms: Call waiting | The