The Strait of Hormuz war impact has escalated sharply after multiple ships were attacked and major international shipping companies suspended transit through the vital waterway. The escalation followed intensified US and Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks by Tehran across the Gulf.
The developments raised fears of a severe disruption to global energy supplies, with oil and gas shipments stalled on both sides of the strait.
Maritime agencies confirmed three separate attacks on commercial vessels on Sunday, further intensifying concerns over regional stability and international trade routes.
Multiple Vessel Attacks Deepen Security Concerns
Three ships targeted as Iran warns against transit
Maritime security agencies reported that at least three ships came under attack on Sunday in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO):
• One tanker off Oman was struck above the waterline by an unknown projectile. A fire in its engine room was later contained.
• Another vessel near the UAE was similarly hit, causing a fire that was extinguished before it resumed its voyage.
• A third vessel, also off the Emirati coast, experienced a projectile explosion in close proximity, though no casualties were reported.
Iranian state television announced that an oil tanker was “sinking” after being targeted while “attempting to illegally pass through” the strait. Broadcast images showed thick smoke rising from the ship, though maritime agencies have not confirmed whether this vessel was among those previously reported.
Oman, which has mediated previous US-Iran talks, stated that drone strikes targeted its Duqm port and a tanker off its shores.
Iranian Guards close navigation lane, warn of danger
On Saturday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards declared the Strait of Hormuz unsafe due to US and Israeli attacks, effectively halting navigation through the corridor. The UN’s maritime agency advised shipping companies to exercise “maximum caution” and avoid the region until conditions stabilize.
Global Shipping Firms Suspend Transit and Reroute Vessels
Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd halt traffic
Following the Iranian declaration, global shipping giants Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, and CMA CGM suspended all vessel crossings through the Strait of Hormuz.
Key developments:
• Maersk announced a halt to Suez Canal and Hormuz traffic and rerouted ships around the Cape of Good Hope.
• MSC instructed its vessels to seek designated safe shelter areas and temporarily suspended all Middle East cargo bookings.
• Hapag-Lloyd ceased all transit through Hormuz, citing official closure by “relevant authorities.”
• CMA CGM ordered its ships in the Gulf to take shelter and paused Suez Canal passage.
These actions effectively paralyzed one of the world’s most important trade corridors, creating unprecedented bottlenecks at the entrance to the Gulf.
Impact on regional ports and Gulf supply chains
The closure affects all major Gulf ports, including the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman. With shipping suspended, cargo buildup is expected across the region. Maersk additionally announced temporary closures of company offices in the UAE, Qatar, and Oman.
Global Oil Market Braces for Shock
Threats to the world’s most critical energy chokepoint
The Strait of Hormuz handles:
• A quarter of global seaborne oil shipments
• Twenty percent of global liquefied natural gas exports
Only Saudi Arabia and the UAE possess pipelines that partially bypass the strait, and these carry only a fraction of daily Gulf exports.
Analysts warn of price spikes if crisis persists
Energy analyst Homayoun Falakshahi (Kpler) told AFP that crude prices could exceed 120 USD per barrel if the conflict continues.
Rystad Energy analyst Jorge Leon noted that OPEC+’s recent output increase of 206,000 barrels per day “does very little” to stabilize markets if the strait remains unsafe.
More than 80 percent of oil and gas moving through Hormuz is bound for Asian markets, particularly China, which buys 90 percent of Iran’s crude.
Historical Parallels and Expert Assessments
“Tanker wars” comparisons, but no modern precedent
Analysts note the current situation differs from the Iran-Iraq “tanker wars” of the 1980s when more than 500 vessels were attacked. Dirk Siebels of Risk Intelligence said that today’s trade and shipping structures make the situation more complex.
Why Iran may avoid full closure
Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group said fully shutting the strait would “bring down the roof on its own head,” particularly due to China’s dependence on Gulf energy.
Instead, Iran may target selected vessels similar to the “Houthi model,” which would raise insurance costs and intensify pressure on global markets without triggering complete isolation.
Conclusion:
The paralysis of global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz marks one of the most significant maritime disruptions in decades. With rising attacks, suspended transit, and heightened geopolitical tensions, the crisis continues to threaten global trade and energy stability. Regional and international actors have urged caution as the situation evolves.
