Iranian Conflict Impacts Shipping

Since Friday February 27th, the United States, Israel, and Iran have been engaged in an escalating military conflict, with the scale and intensity increasing daily. The developments unfolding in the Middle East are now beginning to affect global supply chains, ocean carriers, and port operations worldwide.

Major shipping lines began adjusting services, ports of call, and vessel deployments as early as Saturday morning. Several services have been rerouted or suspended, and carriers are implementing “war risk” surcharges. In addition, air freight operations across much of the Middle East have been widely suspended.

The most significant disruptions stem from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the suspension of transits through the Suez Canal. These closures are particularly critical for global oil tanker movements. While container services within the Persian Gulf initially continued operating, further adjustments are now underway.

Maersk has paused sailings through the Red Sea and Suez Canal amid concerns that escalating tensions with Iran could spread into key maritime corridors. Affected vessels are being rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope.

CMA CGM announced today the implementation of an “Emergency Conflict Surcharge” on select shipments moving to and from Gulf and Red Sea countries.

Hapag-Lloyd has introduced a $1,500 war risk surcharge on cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

COSCO confirmed yesterday that its vessels operating in the Gulf will reposition to safe waters, where they will remain anchored or on standby until conditions stabilize.

At present, the impact on Transpacific and Transatlantic trade lanes between North America and Asia remains minimal. Service strings operating within the Gulf are largely independent from those serving the Asia–U.S. trade routes.

We will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide timely updates on any current or anticipated impacts as more information becomes available.