Red Alert at the Strait of Hormuz: Vessels Attacked, Shipping Giants Suspend Routes Amid US-Iran Conflict

The Strait of Hormuz — the vital chokepoint of the global oil shipping industry — is currently in a state of extreme tension. Although no official closure has been recognized under international law, radio warnings from Iran, escalating military risks, and internal directives from shipping lines have caused commercial traffic to plummet. Most vessels are temporarily avoiding transit, port operations are disjointed, and airspace across most Gulf states has been closed, causing severe difficulties for crew changes.

Vessels are currently being advised via VHF channels not to navigate through the Strait of Hormuz.

Geopolitical Flashpoint and Houthi Threats

The situation escalated after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on Saturday, threatening to spark a broader regional conflict. US President Donald Trump announced in an 8-minute video on Truth Social that the US had commenced: ".S. President Donald Trump said in an 8-minute video posted on his Truth Social that the U.S. has begun “major combat operations in Iran."

Accusing Iran of attempting to rebuild its nuclear program and develop missiles capable of reaching the US, Trump urged the Iranian people to: "take over your government."

Against this backdrop, Houthi forces in Yemen have sparked deep concern by vowing to "resume and escalate" attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The EU naval mission in the Red Sea (Operation Aspides) immediately issued a warning to the maritime industry:

"Following today’s US-Israel military operations against Iran, according to sources, the Houthis threatened to launch new attacks against Israel and US ships interest and shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. We call the shipping industry to stay vigilant and be aware that attacks against all shipping can’t be excluded,"

Shipping Giants Urgently Retreat

In the face of imminent risks, German container shipping group Hapag-Lloyd has suspended all transit operations through the waterway. The carrier cited: "the official closure of the Strait of Hormuz by relevant authorities amid the evolving security situation in the region."

Hapag-Lloyd emphasized: "The safety and security of our crews, vessels, and your cargo remain our highest priority,"

“This measure is therefore not discretionary but a necessary response to the current conditions and regulatory restrictions.

“We are closely monitoring developments, which are very fluid, and remain in continuous contact with authorities and security partners.

“As a result, services calling ports in the Arabian Gulf may experience delays, rerouting, or schedule adjustments.”

In a similar move, France's CMA CGM has instructed vessels in and heading to the Gulf to seek shelter, while simultaneously suspending transits through the Suez Canal and rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope. MSC has also directed all operating and en-route vessels in the region to proceed to designated safe haven areas.

Tankers Hit, Traffic Paralyzed

Reports indicate that a chemical/oil tanker was targeted 5 nautical miles north of Khasab port. All 20 crew members have been evacuated, with 4 reported injured. Many other tankers have been forced to drop anchor outside Hormuz.

French President Emmanuel Macron issued a statement pledging that his country is: "stands ready to deploy the necessary resources to protect its closest partners, should they request it,"

However, he also warned: "the ongoing escalation is dangerous for all. It must stop."

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported a series of incidents: vessels hit by unidentified projectiles causing fires, crew evacuations, and severe GNSS/electronic signal interference. Despite this, UKMTO noted that the VHF warnings do not constitute a legal suspension of navigation under the UNCLOS convention.

Data from maritime artificial intelligence company Windward (Maritime AI™) illustrates the distinct impact of "Operation Epic Fury" on energy flows. Windward noted: "At least a dozen tankers or cargo vessels sailing for Arabian Gulf ports were tracked pausing voyages in the past 12 hours, amid reports that Iran has sent messages via VHF to deter ships from transiting the Strait. Oil majors are reportedly avoiding sending vessels to the Gulf."

Security Alerts and Harsh Warnings

Maritime security firm Ambrey assesses an extremely high risk for US- and Israeli-linked vessels, as well as Israeli ports. In an urgent advisory, Ambrey stated: "Iran commences retaliation against early morning joint US-Iran strikes. Targets presently limited to military assets. Strongly affiliated shipping assessed to be at heightened risk is advised to shelter in territorial seas and avoid transits through the Persian/Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, southern Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden,"

Tensions were pushed to a breaking point when US President Donald Trump declared that Iran's nuclear program could threaten "our very good friends and allies in Europe." He announced comprehensive military actions to "destroy" and "wipe out" Iran's navy and missile industry. On Truth Social, he wrote:"We’re going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally again obliterated. We’re going to annihilate their navy. We will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. It’s a very simple message. They will never have a nuclear weapon." 

Reacting to the situation, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas described the situation in the Middle East as "perilous." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen assessed the developments in Iran as "greatly concerning." She called for "maximum restraint" and emphasized: "ensuring nuclear safety and preventing any actions that could further escalate tensions or undermine the global non-proliferation regime is of critical importance."

See more:

• Red Sea Crisis Returns: Nigerian Shippers Brace for a Wave of Vessel Rerouting and Surging Freight Rates
• Qatar Airways Cargo Suspends All Flights Amidst Doha Airspace Closure
• Regional Conflict Escalates: Major Shipping Lines Pull Out of the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz
• COSCO schedules: Vietnam - North America in Mar 2026
• SITC updates Vietnam-Intra Asia sailing schedules in Mar 2026
• Post-Lunar New Year Transpacific Freight Demand Softens Amid Capacity Restructuring
• U.S. Tariff Chaos: What Importers Must Do to Protect Their Interests
• Drewry Report: Intra-Asia Container Index Holds Steady at $555 per FEU
• Etihad Cargo Posts Impressive 2025 Results: Revenue Grows 8%, Solidifying Global Logistics Leadership
• North America West Coast Q4 2025 Throughput: The Aftermath of the 'Front-Loading' Strategy
• Ocean Alliance’s 'Day 10' Network: A Strategic Pivot to Capture the 'China Plus One' Wave
• 2026 Kick-off: Global Schedule Reliability Hits 62.4%; Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk Lead the Rankings
• Luka Koper Achieves Record Container Throughput and Exceptional Growth in 2025
• Tensions Flare at Panama Canal: CK Hutchison Alleges Forced Evictions and Threatens Legal Action
• Trump Raises Global Tariff to 15%: A Fresh Shock for Shipping Markets and Allies
• Panama Formally Revokes CK Hutchison Port Concessions, Clearing Path for Maersk Takeover
• Defying Supreme Court Ruling, President Trump Announces 15% Global Tariff
• International Shipping and Logistics Market Update Week 8/2026 | Phaata
• COSCO Shipping Launches New CPV Service: Slashing Transit Time from Yangpu Port to North America by 10 Days
• SITC Lines Launches VTX8 Express Service: Direct Ho Chi Minh – Moji Connection in Just 8 Days

Source: Phaata.com (According to Shipping Telegraph)

► Find Better Freight Rates & Logistics Service Providers!