Iran opens Hormuz — but only for “non-hostile” vessels
26.03.2026
Iran has confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, but under new conditions: passage is effectively limited to vessels not associated with countries it considers hostile. According to statements by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and reports from international media, ships from “non-hostile” nations may transit the strait, provided they coordinate with Iranian authorities and comply with security requirements.
In practice, this marks a shift from open navigation to a selective transit model. Instead of a neutral international corridor, access to one of the world’s most critical chokepoints is increasingly influenced by geopolitical alignment. At the same time, vessels linked to the United States, Israel, and their allies face growing restrictions, while some countries continue to negotiate safe passage arrangements.
The implications for shipping are significant: traffic through the strait has dropped sharply, insurance coverage remains limited, and operators are reassessing routing strategies. For many carriers, the decision to transit Hormuz is no longer purely operational — it is becoming a political and risk management choice.
Bottom line: Hormuz is no longer fully “open” — it is conditionally accessible, and geopolitics is now directly shaping global shipping routes.
Around 3,200 vessels stuck near Hormuz as tanker rates spike
02.03.2026
The escalation between Iran and the US–Israel coalition is beginning to severely disrupt maritime traffic in the Persian Gulf.
According to Clarksons Research, roughly 3,200 vessels — about 4% of global shipping tonnage — remain in the region, including 112 tankers and 114 container ships. Around 500 vessels are currently waiting near the coasts of the UAE and Oman.
Tanker markets are reacting sharply. The benchmark TD3C route (Middle East–China) briefly surged to $423,700 per day, more than $205,000 higher day-on-day. Brokers caution that only a limited number of fixtures have been confirmed at these levels, suggesting the market is approaching “risk-driven paralysis” rather than a formal closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The stakes are enormous: 14–15 million barrels of oil per day — more than 20% of global consumption — pass through Hormuz. Existing bypass pipelines cannot compensate for a prolonged disruption.
Insurance pressure is amplifying the shock. More than half of the major P&I clubs are expected to withdraw war-risk cover for vessels entering the Persian Gulf starting March 5, significantly increasing operational costs and encouraging operators to reroute voyages around the Cape of Good Hope.
Sector impact:
- Tankers — hardest hit; theoretical VLCC earnings have reached near-record levels.
- LNG/LPG — disruptions around Ras Laffan and rising regional gas prices; LNG tanker rates reportedly up about 20% in the short term.
- Container shipping — direct exposure to Hormuz is relatively small (around 2% of global flows), but several lines, including MSC, have suspended bookings to the region, raising the risk of congestion in European and Asian ports.
- Bulk carriers — limited direct exposure, but secondary delays and port congestion are likely.
Clarksons Research is the research arm of the British shipping services group Clarkson PLC, founded in 1852 and listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Maersk to Cut 15% of Corporate Staff in 2026 as Cost Pressures Mount
16.02.2026
Danish shipping giant Maersk has announced plans to reduce its corporate workforce by approximately 1,000 positions, equivalent to around 15% of office-based staff. The move is expected to generate annual savings of about $180 million.
The layoffs will affect the company’s headquarters as well as regional and national offices and form part of a broader effort to streamline organizational structures and reinforce financial discipline. Maersk confirmed that all required notification and consultation procedures have been initiated.
In 2025, Maersk’s revenue declined by $1.5 billion to $54.0 billion, primarily due to pressure on ocean freight rates. The impact was partially offset by stronger performance in terminals and logistics services. EBITDA reached $9.5 billion, EBIT stood at $3.5 billion, and net profit totaled $2.9 billion, reflecting the sharp downturn in ocean segment profitability.
Looking ahead to 2026, Maersk projects underlying EBITDA in the range of $4.5–7.0 billion, with global container market growth expected at 2–4%. The company noted that geopolitical tensions, disruptions in the Red Sea, and new trade tariffs continue to create a complex and cost-intensive operating environment, requiring ongoing adjustments to its business model.
Founded in 1904, Maersk is one of the world’s largest container shipping and integrated logistics companies. It is publicly listed, with a controlling stake held by A.P. Moller Holding on behalf of the Møller family, while the remaining shares are publicly traded.
Evergreen Marine Orders 23 New Container Ships, Pushing Newbuild Commitments Above $11bn
04.02.2026
Taiwanese liner operator Evergreen Marine has continued its large-scale fleet expansion, placing orders for 23 container vessels with a total value of up to $1.47 billion. The shipbuilding contracts were signed through its subsidiary Evergreen Marine Asia, further adding to one of the largest newbuild portfolios in the container shipping industry.
The order includes 16 feeder vessels of 3,100 TEU, to be built at CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard, as well as 7 post-panamax container ships of 5,900 TEU, contracted with Yangzijiang Shipbuilding.
The newbuild program aligns with Evergreen’s strategy to strengthen its regional and interregional service network while modernizing the fleet with vessels offering greater operational flexibility.
With these latest contracts, Evergreen’s total newbuilding commitments now exceed $11 billion, underlining the company’s confidence in the long-term outlook for container shipping and its effort to secure shipyard slots amid limited global shipbuilding capacity.
Evergreen Marine, founded in 1968, is one of the world’s largest container carriers, operating a global network of liner services. The company is publicly listed and controlled by the Chang family.
Hong Kong Launches a Digital Port Community System with Real-Time Cargo Tracking
22.01.2026
Authorities in Hong Kong have launched a Port Community System (PCS) — a unified digital platform for the port and logistics ecosystem that enables 24/7 real-time cargo monitoring. According to GS1 Hong Kong, more than 2,300 companies have already joined the system, highlighting rapid industry adoption.
The PCS is built on international GS1 standards, including GTIN (Global Trade Item Number), improving the accuracy of declarations and end-to-end supply chain traceability. The platform is also designed to be interoperable with China’s Single Window system, where GTIN is already mandatory for import clearance, helping to reduce friction in cross-border cargo flows.
Beyond operations, the system is expected to support trade finance. PCS data will be used in the CargoX project, developed with the participation of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, to simplify banks’ risk assessments and improve access to financing for SMEs.
The initiative strengthens Hong Kong’s position as a digital hub for port logistics and accelerates the shift toward data-driven port and supply chain management.