Major Shippers Reroute Gulf Cargo as Hormuz Crossings Drop to a Few From 135 Daily
Updated
Updated · Ukrinform · May 17
Major Shippers Reroute Gulf Cargo as Hormuz Crossings Drop to a Few From 135 Daily
3 articles · Updated · Ukrinform · May 17
MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd have shifted cargo to Red Sea and Gulf of Oman ports, then moved it overland or by smaller vessels to Gulf destinations.
The workaround follows the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz since the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran began on Feb. 28, leaving only a few daily transits versus about 135 before the conflict.
Rolf Habben Jansen said land bridges can replace only part of lost ship capacity, and Hapag-Lloyd estimates Persian Gulf trade flows have fallen 60% to 80%.
Ports are prioritizing food and medicines as attacks mount — 38 vessels have reportedly been hit — while companies from Tata to grain traders reroute shipments through Jeddah, Khor Fakkan and other hubs.
Will new land bridges and pipelines permanently diminish the Strait of Hormuz's strategic importance after the war?
Beyond oil, how will blocked fertilizer shipments from the Gulf threaten global food security and prices this year?
With global trade in chaos and oil over $100, why are U.S. stock markets hitting all-time highs?
Strait of Hormuz Paralysis: How the 2026 Crisis Disrupted 20% of Global Oil Trade and Reshaped the World Economy
Overview
From late February to mid-May 2026, an escalating war in the Middle East triggered fears of prolonged interruptions to global trade through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint. Geopolitical tensions quickly led to severe operational and security challenges, resulting in the critical paralysis of the Strait and a near-total collapse of commercial shipping in the region. As vessels were forced to reroute or halt operations, the world braced for significant economic fallout. This crisis highlighted the vulnerability of global supply chains to geopolitical instability in key maritime passages, exposing deep risks for international trade and energy security.