Shipping industry tensions as Israel and Iran fight fire with fire

Tàu container MSC Aries (Ảnh: MeretMarine)

Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iran on June 13, targeting nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders, and said the campaign would continue “as long as necessary”. Iran has since vowed “severe punishment for Israel” and has deployed more than 100 drones to attack Israel.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said there is currently no evidence that commercial vessels have been targeted by Iran. However, the UK security agency also warned of the possibility of a rapid escalation of tensions, saying there was a risk that Yemen's Houthi forces - allied with Iran - would expand their attack targets in the region.

Global oil prices jumped today as markets began to factor in the risk of a threat to vital waterways.

Maritime security consultancy Vanguard said that while there had been no increased threat to commercial shipping, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman remained on high alert due to increased military activity, air defences and the possibility of GNSS signal interference.

Jefferies data showed that the Middle East market accounted for 40% of global crude oil trade, 33% of LPG, 23% of LNG, 12% of refined petroleum products, 5% of containerised cargo and 3% of dry bulk.

Swedish bank SEB said the fighting had a positive short-term impact on tankers, but the longer-term impact could be more negative due to the disruption to demand from higher oil prices. Similarly, for LNG and LPG, SEB said it expected a positive short-term impact on freight rates, but noted the risks to output and demand in the event of a disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.

Lars Jensen, who has been following the Red Sea shipping crisis for the past 18 months, noted on LinkedIn the risks of a partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This could send oil prices even higher, and lead global container lines to steer clear of the region, opting instead to transship containers outside the Middle East, increasing the risk of widespread port congestion in Asia.

“Iran is not adverse to interfering with commercial shipping, as for example seen in their seizure of 14,000 teu MSC Aries last year. The vessel is still held by Iran,” Mr. Jensen added.

See more:

• International Shipping and Logistics Market Update - Week 24/2025 | Phaata
• China-US freight rates fall as capacity boosts
• Container Freight Rates Jump 88% as Shippers Seize U.S.-China Tariff Delay
• Wan Hai 503 rescue efforts amid fears of more explosions
• COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers Signs $310 Million Contract for Six Heavylift Carriers
• DHL Express Canada furloughs workers, adding to uncertainty for parcel delivery industry
• Congestion at European ports: Maersk decides to skip Rotterdam
• SITC Set Up Bavet Office, Dedicated to Serving Local Enterprises
• Firefighting efforts on Wan Hai 503, search for missing crew
• Container shipping market volatility to persist
• Container ship Wan Hai explodes off India, four crew missing
• International Shipping and Logistics Market Update - Week 23/2025 | Phaata
• Red Sea traffic rebounds by 60%
• Trans-Pacific rates soar as carriers push for GRI and US trade policy uncertainty
• Airlines slash cargo forecasts amid escalating trade war
• Mexico's largest port struggles with delays and container backlogs
• Container volume soars at Port of New York and New Jersey in April
• Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd Launch New Service from China to the US
• IATA: Airline industry profits expected to grow slightly in 2025
• Container shipping profits and margins plunge in Q1
• 3rd VIETNAM INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS EXHIBITION (VILOG 2025) “Digital Transformation - Green Development of Logistics Industry”

Source: Phaata.com (According to Splash247)

► Find Better Freight Rates & Logistics Service Providers!