Which transportation issue can lead to supply chain delays?

Container delays are a significant transportation issue that can lead to supply chain disruptions. When containers are delayed, it affects the timely delivery of goods, resulting in a cascade of operational challenges. For instance, goods may miss critical deadlines for production or distribution, leading to inventory shortages or excess stock in other areas of the supply chain. This can ultimately affect customer satisfaction and can increase costs as businesses may need to expedite shipping to meet demand.

The other choices, while they may influence logistics operations, do not directly indicate a transportation issue in the same way. Increased regulatory compliance pertains more to legal and safety standards governing transport rather than the mechanics of transportation itself. Higher shipping rates do impact costs and may affect overall profitability but do not inherently disrupt transportation flow. Seasonal demand variations involve shifts in consumer behavior and demand levels, which can impact logistics planning but are not a direct cause of transportation delays like container delays can be.