At Posidonia 2026, shipowners emphasized that war-risk insurance provisions are not enough to encourage a full return to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane. Daily vessel transits through the strait have plummeted from 95 to just four since the onset of the crisis, leading to over 150 tankers remaining idle. This reluctance stems from the lack of progress in US-Iran negotiations, which has exacerbated regional tensions.
The ongoing situation has significantly impacted global logistics. Freight rates on Asia-Europe lanes have surged by 60%, reflecting the increased costs and risks associated with rerouting or insuring vessels in the region. Furthermore, the port of Jebel Ali is experiencing severe congestion, indicating a bottleneck in cargo flow for the Gulf region.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this means continued volatility and elevated costs for shipments involving the Middle East. The substantial increase in Asia-Europe rates will likely persist, affecting budgeting and client quotations. Capacity constraints and potential delays due to port congestion at key hubs like Jebel Ali should also be factored into transit time estimates and supply chain planning. Shippers may need to explore alternative routing or modes where feasible, though options for tanker traffic are limited. The demand for clear operational guidelines before resuming full transit highlights the need for political resolution to stabilize maritime trade in this vital corridor.
