Straits are blocked, ports are shut down, and shipping companies urgently stop accepting bookings from the Middle East

After the United States and Israel carried out a joint military attack on Iran, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps recently announced a complete blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, putting the global shipping system on high alert.

This move not only led to the stranding of ships in the Persian Gulf, but also paralyzed key shipping lanes connecting the Middle East and global markets, putting international energy transportation and container logistics at risk of structural disruption.

According to Reuters, citing relevant news, the Iranian Navy issued a notice to passing ships through radio broadcasts, clearly requiring that no ships be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. This tough measure means that the Persian Gulf's outlet to the sea is completely cut off, and the connection between major hub ports in the region, including Jebel Ali, and the global ocean trade network is forced to interrupt.

The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most important maritime oil transportation throat, responsible for about one-fifth of the world's seaborne oil exports. This blockade has caused a large number of oil tankers and container ships to be stranded in the Persian Gulf and unable to sail out. Ships that originally planned to enter the Persian Gulf were also forced to wait in nearby waters or detour. Since there are no alternative sea lanes in the Persian Gulf, the flow of crude oil, refined oil products and container cargo has come to a virtual standstill.

The escalating situation in the Middle East has had a direct impact on port operations. The Jebel Ali Port in the United Arab Emirates was affected by the conflict. It is said that falling debris from an air interception operation fell into the port area, causing a fire at a berth. Port operator DP World announced the suspension of operations at Jebel Ali Port out of safety precautions, and all loading, unloading and related operations were completely suspended.

The Port of Duqm in Oman was attacked by two drones. Due to security risks, the port and Asyad dry dock have suspended operations. Bahrain also announced a temporary suspension of port operations nationwide, and all maritime operations, including pilotage services, have been suspended.

At the liner company level, global shipping giant Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) issued an emergency notice to suspend all new cargo bookings to the Middle East globally. At the same time, all MSC ships located in the Gulf waters or heading to this area are instructed to go to designated safe and sheltered waters to stand by. MSC stated that this move is aimed at responding to the risks caused by the worsening maritime traffic security situation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, ensuring the safety of crews, ships and cargo, and resuming bookings after the regional security situation improves.

As the situation escalates, major container liner companies have abandoned plans to return to the Suez Canal in 2026 and instead implement a bypass strategy. Maersk confirmed that its ME11 and MECL routes will bypass the Cape of Good Hope and will no longer pass through the waters of the Red Sea. CMA CGM has simultaneously upgraded its response measures, instructing all ships in the Persian Gulf or heading to this area to immediately move to sheltered waters, suspending all Suez Canal voyages, and diverting relevant ships to the Cape of Good Hope.

Hapag-Lloyd announced the suspension of all ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice. The company stated that this decision is based on the fact that the current security situation has changed and the waterway has been officially closed. It is a mandatory response measure. The safety of crew, ship and cargo is always the highest priority. Japan's three major shipping companies - Nippon Yusen Lines, Mitsui Lines, and Kawasaki Kisen - have also instructed their ships to stand by in safe areas or suspend passage through the strait.

The current situation has had a systemic impact on the entire Middle East shipping lanes: the Strait of Hormuz has been closed, ship hedging orders in the Persian Gulf have come into effect, the Suez Canal route has been suspended, and security risks in the Red Sea continue to exist. Major liner companies no longer carry out selective detours, but implement regional overall evacuation strategies.

The blockade has created key bottlenecks for energy markets and container shipping. Major hub ports such as Jebel Ali have been effectively cut off from external connections. Ships in the Persian Gulf cannot sail out, and new ships cannot enter. In the absence of alternative shipping channels in the short term, liner companies may choose to unload cargo at other regional ports and then transfer it to the destination via land transportation, but this option is subject to local infrastructure conditions. Detouring around the Cape of Good Hope usually adds about 10 to 14 days to the Asia-Europe and Asia-US East Coast routes. Cargo owners will face longer transportation cycles, higher fuel costs and continued intensification of schedule disruptions.

Analysts pointed out that under the current situation, the global supply chain needs to prepare for normal operation around Africa throughout the year, and the prospects for the recovery of shipping lanes in the Middle East are still unclear.

• Jebel Ali Port: Operations were temporarily suspended after a fire broke out due to debris intercepted by an airstrike. However, the latest news shows that the port has resumed operations, but it is recommended to verify the latest shipping schedule.

• Sharjah Port: Open normally.

• Fujairah and Khorfakkan ports: normal operations.

• Port of Ruwais: Security upgraded to ISPS Level 2.

• Airspace: Closed for crew changes.

• All ports are open as normal.

• Shuaibai Port: Security level has been increased but remains open.

• Airspace: Closed, crew change cannot be arranged.

• Duqm Port and Asyad Dry Dock: Operations have been suspended due to drone attacks.

• Muscat, Sohar and Salalah ports: open as normal.

• Airspace: Open, but some flights are canceled, affecting crew change arrangements.

• All ports are operating normally and there are no official alerts.

• Airspace: Open, but some international routes are suspended due to regional airspace restrictions.

• Ras Laffan and Mesaïd Port: Open, but traffic is reduced and GPS signal interference is reported.

• Hamad Port, Doha Port and Al Ruwais Port: Normal operations.

• Airspace: Closed for crew changes.

• The government recommends avoiding road travel and keeping people indoors as much as possible unless necessary.

• All port operations, including pilot services, have been suspended.

• Airspace: Closed for crew changes.

Suez Canal: Operations are normal.

All ports: operating normally.

Airspace: Open, no operational impacts reported.

• Aqaba Port: Normal operations, all terminals and maritime services are normal.

• Airspace: Open, no impact on ports and domestic traffic.

• All ports are operating normally.

• Airspace: Open, no operational impacts reported.

The situation is still evolving rapidly. It is recommended that relevant companies pay close attention to the latest announcements issued by various ports and competent authorities, and promptly confirm route adjustment plans and surcharge policies with carriers.

For cargo involving the Persian Gulf and Red Sea routes, it is recommended to evaluate in advance the possible impact on shipping schedules caused by detouring around the Cape of Good Hope, reasonably reserve a transportation buffer time, and prepare a budget for response.