Update: 20.05.2026
Latest developments across the region
After a vessel incident involving the boxship CMA CGM San Antonio earlier this month, US President Donald Trump announced the suspension of Project Freedom, the United States' initiative to assist vessels outside of the Strait of Hormuz.
No major developments occurred in the past few weeks on the political level. Iran and the United States continue to exchange threats to resume hostilities.
Meanwhile, Iran announced the establishment of a new authority, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), which has declared itself responsible for managing transit through the Strait of Hormuz. The authority stated that navigation within defined boundaries requires full coordination with Iranian entities and that passage without permission will be considered illegal.
Vessel movements across the Strait remain restricted, with transit largely limited to tankers and vessels connected to Iran or states that have reached agreements with Iran.
Carrier updated response
Most carriers continue to suspend bookings to several countries across the Middle East.
Hapag-Lloyd confirmed that bookings to and from the Upper Gulf are available via third-party feeder services, enabling cargo movements involving Kuwait, Saudi Arabia (Dammam), Qatar, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates without transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Generally, container liners still avoid transit through the Strait of Hormuz due to uncertainty in the region.
Situation at impacted ports
Most ports in the Persian Gulf report normal operations, albeit with congestion and high alert levels.
On the Red Sea, however, the Port of Jeddah has reportedly exceeded its operational capacity, with yard density and reefer plug utilisation surpassing manageable levels.
According to liner Maersk, vessels are currently experiencing berth waiting times of up to six days, supported by a backlog of longstanding import containers and slow cargo pick-up.
Maersk, therefore, decided that only cargo with Saudi consignees will be handled via Jeddah, while other cargo destined for Upper Gulf locations will be rerouted via Salalah, Khor Fakkan, and onward to Jebel Ali or Sharjah.
At the same time, capacity constraints are impacting the movement from Salalah to Khor Fakkan and Fujairah, causing longer dwell times for transhipment cargo.
Data from supply chain technology company P44 shows shifts in trade as a result of the prolonged disruption. During the first week of May 2026, volume declines were recorded on Gulf-adjacent lanes involving the UAE and Saudi Arabia, while increases were observed on alternative corridors, including New Zealand to the United States and various Europe-linked trades.
Vessel situation and risks
As mentioned earlier, vessel movement remains largely restricted to tankers and vessels allowed transit by the Iranian authorities.
Iran has expanded its operational maritime zone around the Strait of Hormuz. Reports indicate that the zone has widened from an earlier range of about 20 to 30 miles (approximately 32 to 48 km) to as much as 200 to 300 miles (approximately 322 to 483 km) across the Strait’s approaches, covering areas along the Gulf of Oman coastline.
Analysts believe that these developments increase uncertainty for vessels transiting the waterway and contribute to an elevated risk environment for maritime operations in the region.
The latest seaexplorer data shows that there are 104 container vessels currently trapped in the Persian Gulf, with a capacity of 349,912 TEU combined. With the ongoing disruption of GPS signals in the region, accurate information cannot be guaranteed.
Kuehne+Nagel continues to monitor the situation closely with timely updates on SeaNews and the Kuehne+Nagel page Middle East situation - Kuehne+Nagel operations.
For the latest port and vessel statuses or situation updates, please refer to the seaexplorer alert map.
Update: 06.05.2026
Project Freedom, the United States' initiative to assist vessels outside of the Hormuz Strait, was suspended after an incident involving the vessel CMA CGM San Antonio, which was hit by a missile while attempting transit.
Shortly after the incident, Trump announced on social media that support for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz would be paused “for a short time”. He attributed the decision to progress towards a final agreement with Iran and said the pause was intended to see whether an agreement could be signed.
Meanwhile, Iran has been moving to formalise its own process for allowing vessels to pass. Vessels intending to transit should receive an email from Iran containing the rules and regulations for obtaining a transit permit. A draft law progressing through the Iranian parliament would introduce a toll system and ban ships associated with the US or Israel.
Against this backdrop, shipping lines are expected to take a cautious approach to new announcements of open passage.
Update: 05.05.2026
Latest developments across the region
On Monday, 4 May, the United States started a military-supported initiative, named Project Freedom, aimed at enabling stranded commercial vessels to depart the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command confirmed that naval units, aircraft and ground forces have been deployed as part of this operation.
Following this announcement, the security environment has further declined, with Iran declaring its own actions to enforce control in the area. Tehran has introduced a maritime control zone covering parts of the Strait, including waters close to Oman and the United Arab Emirates, and warned that non-compliant vessels could face serious consequences.
In a recent speech, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his concern about the situation. He warned that the economic fallout from the conflict could grow significantly as the crisis continues, with dire outcomes for the global economy.
Carrier updated response
German carrier Hapag-Lloyd told the media that its risk evaluation has not changed and confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to its traffic, with four vessels still positioned inside the Persian Gulf. The carrier continues to assess developments in close coordination with authorities and security partners.
Key stakeholders in the industry advised that overall risks to shipping remain at similar levels, noting that no new industry guidance has been released and that shipowners should continue applying robust risk assessments.
Situation at impacted ports
Conditions at the majority of ports in the Middle East region remain stable and operational.
Meanwhile, operations at the ports of Al-Fujairah and Khor al Fakkan were disrupted following an incident, with authorities confirming a large fire in the Fujairah Petroleum Industries Zone caused by an Iranian drone.
Additionally, a tanker reported being struck by unidentified projectiles off the coast of Fujairah. UAE Civil Defence managed to contain the fire, after which port access was reopened.
Cargo handling at the main berths is gradually restarting, while bunkering, anchorage, and boat services are operating as usual.
Iran has now extended its declared maritime control zone to include Fujairah, previously used as an alternative routing point for oil cargoes bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. Vessels anchored near Ras al Khaimah have reportedly been instructed by Iran to vacate their positions.
Vessel situation and risks
The US Central Command confirmed that American forces are actively supporting efforts to re-establish commercial shipping movements, stating that two US-flagged merchant vessels have completed successful transits through the Strait.
One of the vessels is the US-flagged Ro-Ro vessel Alliance Fairfax, operated by Maersk subsidiary Farrell Lines.
However, at least four commercial vessels have reported security-related incidents since Sunday, 3 May. These included drone strikes on a VLCC operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and an explosion and fire onboard a South Korea-owned general cargo vessel HMM Namu.
The latest seaexplorer data shows that there are 102 container vessels currently trapped in the Persian Gulf, with a capacity of 348,842 TEU combined. With the ongoing disruption of GPS signals in the region, accurate information cannot be guaranteed.
Kuehne+Nagel continues to monitor the situation closely with timely updates on SeaNews and the Kuehne+Nagel page Middle East situation - Kuehne+Nagel operations.
For the latest port and vessel statuses or situation updates, please refer to the seaexplorer alert map.
Original article: 27.04.2026
Latest developments across the region
Iran has proposed lifting its restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz while also calling for an end to the United States’ blockade, reports the Associated Press this morning, 27 April, citing two regional officials involved in closed‑door discussions.
Meanwhile, container carriers have announced operational adjustments in response to the situation, including temporary booking pauses on selected Middle East landside bookings.
This update contains the latest development as of 27 April 2026. Earlier updates can be found through this link.
Carrier updated response
Maersk has temporarily paused selected landside bookings involving the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Jeddah and Khor Fakkan, including a restriction on reefer cargo from Khor Fakkan to the UAE.
The Gemini Cooperation will suspend the JD2 and JD3 Mediterranean–Saudi Arabia shuttle services from mid May, with cargo reassigned to the SE4 mainline service linking Jeddah with Mediterranean hubs and onward Asian connections.
Situation at impacted ports
Port conditions across the Middle East region remain stable, with all ports in the Persian Gulf operational.
The effective closure of the Strait has increased pressure on the Panama Canal, where unreserved vessel arrivals have risen, leading to longer southbound waiting times and higher auction slot costs during April.
According to the Panama Canal, the average time waiting reached 5.5 days in the Atlantic to Pacific direction for the queue of vessels arriving without a reservation.
Vessel situation and risks
Transits through the Strait of Hormuz have declined following recent attacks on non‑Iranian‑linked vessels, with only limited movements recorded over a two‑day period, primarily involving Iranian trade.
Meanwhile, dozens of containerships operated by the world’s top 10 container lines remain stranded in the Persian Gulf.
During a call last week, Hapag-Lloyd mentioned that one of its ships had crossed the Strait of Hormuz, without mentioning further details. Four out of initially six ships operated by the carrier remain in the Gulf.
The latest seaexplorer data shows that there are 104 container vessels currently trapped in the Persian Gulf, with a capacity of 349,303 TEU combined. With the ongoing disruption of GPS signals in the region, accurate information cannot be guaranteed.
Kuehne+Nagel continues to monitor the situation closely with timely updates on SeaNews and the Kuehne+Nagel page Middle East situation - Kuehne+Nagel operations.
For the latest port and vessel statuses or situation updates, please refer to the seaexplorer alert map.
