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A coordinated military attack by the United States and Israel on Iran has triggered an immediate blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, halting transit for at least 150 oil tankers and forcing major Gulf container terminals to suspend operations, shippers and port operators confirmed March 1.
The operation, which began Feb. 28, included strikes on Iranian military infrastructure and leadership targets. Iranian state media reported the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps responded by declaring the Strait of Hormuz unsafe for shipping, effectively closing the waterway through which about 20 million barrels of crude oil and 20 percent of global LNG trade normally pass daily.
Market and operational impact
DP World suspended operations at all its terminals in the region, including the Jebel Ali port in Dubai, the Middle East’s largest container hub. The decision followed a fire at a berth caused by falling debris from intercepted missiles, the company said.
Shipping data platforms tracked at least 150 oil tankers dropping anchor or halting inside the Persian Gulf, unable to transit. Major oil companies and trading houses immediately suspended shipments through the strait, freezing a significant portion of seaborne oil trade.
The world’s largest container carriers began pulling vessels from the region. MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company halted all bookings for worldwide cargo to the Middle East until further notice. CMA CGM ordered its vessels in the region to take shelter and suspended all passages through the Suez Canal, rerouting ships around the Cape of Good Hope. Hapag Lloyd suspended all transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
Stakeholder reactions and next steps
“The safety of our seafarers and the security of cargo is our absolute priority. We are continuously monitoring the situation and will adjust our network as events unfold,” a spokesperson for CMA CGM said in a statement.
Hapag Lloyd told customers that vessels already en route to the region would seek safe anchorage outside the Gulf until further notice. The company advised clients to expect extensive delays and to prepare for rerouting of cargo.
Insurance brokers reported that premiums for vessels operating in or near the Gulf have surged, with some policies being canceled or repriced mid transit. The Joint War Committee, which sets London market insurance rates, was expected to expand the listed high risk area in the coming days, industry sources said.
DP World said it was working with local authorities to assess damage and would provide updates on terminal reopenings as the security situation allows. The Jebel Ali closure affects container, breakbulk, and project cargo handling, with knock on delays expected across regional supply chains.
Wider context and industry outlook
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz represents the most significant disruption to global energy flows since the 1970s oil crisis. Even if the blockade is lifted in the coming days or weeks, the risk premium associated with the waterway will remain permanently elevated, analysts said.
Alternative pipeline routes, such as Saudi Arabia’s East West pipeline, have a capacity of about 6.8 million barrels per day, far short of the 20 million barrels that normally move through the strait. The gap cannot be filled quickly, meaning sustained higher oil prices and increased bunker fuel costs for all shipping segments.
For container and project cargo operators, the rerouting of vessels around Africa adds at least two weeks to transit times and significantly increases costs. The congestion and delays at regional ports will take months to clear even after operations resume, forwarders warned.
The International Atomic Energy Agency issued an urgent call for restraint to avoid any nuclear safety incident, a reference to the potential for strikes near Iran’s nuclear facilities. Any radiological release would have catastrophic long term impacts on shipping and trade in the Gulf.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said operations would continue “as long as necessary.” President Donald Trump indicated that bombing would continue “uninterrupted.” Iran vowed an open ended response without red lines, signaling a prolonged conflict.
The coming days will determine whether the blockade remains in place or whether diplomatic efforts can restore some measure of stability. For the maritime and logistics sector, the immediate reality is one of halted traffic, rerouted vessels, and surging costs with no clear timeline for resolution.
