by Manal Barakat, SeaNewsEditor

The Strait of Hormuz, situated between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is the only marine entryway into the Persian Gulf and one of the most critical maritime passages for global container shipping.

It connects major economies in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and beyond, enabling the movement of manufactured goods, electronics, and essential materials from ports in the Middle East to global markets.

Transits through Hormuz

According to a Lloyd’s List report, more than 3,000 vessels transit the Strait of Hormuz each month, most notably, more than 500 million barrels of crude oil sail eastwards out of the oil-producing states.

Lloyd’s List adds that Panama-flagged vessels use the Strait of Hormuz the most, followed by Liberia-flagged ships.

“Breaking down transits in the first quarter of 2025 by country of beneficial ownership, Greek, Japanese, and Chinese vessels dominate and would be most affected by any shutdown,” says the maritime intelligence firm. The image below illustrates the number of vessels transiting the strait on the provided time stamp.

Possible impact of closure

The geography of the strait makes it easy to control. At its narrowest point, this essential passage spans only 21 nautical miles.

According to the Iranian news agency IRINN, Iran is reportedly considering shutting down the Strait of Hormuz amidst escalating tensions in its conflict with Israel, as highlighted by the Pan-Arab news outlet Al-Jazeera.

The implications of a closure or disruption to the Strait of Hormuz would be profound. Regional ports like Jebel Ali in the UAE, the Port of Sohar in Oman, and the Dammam Port in Saudi Arabia would face delays, rerouting challenges, and increased costs.

Additionally, major global hubs such as the Port of Singapore, Mundra Port in India, and ports in the Mediterranean could experience ripple effects, affecting schedules and supply chains worldwide.

Experts estimate that US and Israeli-linked vessels would be targeted if the situation escalates.

However, Lloyd’s List analysts believe identifying ships linked with Israel or the US is not straightforward and could leave other vessels vulnerable.

Current situation

At the time of publishing this article, vessel traffic continues to flow eastbound and westbound through the Strait of Hormuz.

Kuehne+Nagel reports that carriers are monitoring the situation, while operations continue as usual.

An update by liner Maersk reveals that the carrier prioritises the safety and well-being of its workers in affected areas.

Meanwhile, in Israel, liner ZIM confirmed that the ports of Ashdod and Haifa are operating normally, with restrictions on accepting dangerous cargo.

“Hazardous cargo will be handled per Israeli authorities’ guidance and is subject to change at short notice,” writes ZIM in an advisory.

Experts highlight that carriers could choose to omit Israeli ports if the situation around the port intensifies.

For now, the situation in the Middle East remains uncertain and volatile. Kuehne+Nagel monitors the situation closely and will report developments and updates as they unfold.

For the latest port and vessel statuses or situation updates, please refer to the seaexplorer alert map.

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