Several shipping companies reported the suspension of all tanker movements through the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of global oil and gas shipments pass, due to the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.
In a statement, the Danish shipping company Maersk, one of the world's largest container shipping companies, announced the temporary suspension of traffic on the aforementioned route and indicated that the measure will remain in place until further notice.
It also announced the reconfiguration of its traditional routes through Bab el Mandeb and the Suez Canal, prioritizing the safety of its crew; all ME11 (Middle East-India to Mediterranean) and MECL (Middle East-India to US East Coast) services will be diverted around the Cape of Good Hope.
For its part, the Swiss-based shipping company Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) said it will closely monitor the situation and cooperate with the relevant authorities, and that bookings will resume when safety conditions allow.
Another shipping company, Germany's Hapag-Lloyd, explained that this measure will remain in place until further notice and warned of "delays, diversions, and schedule adjustments" in its operations. "We are closely monitoring the situation, which is extremely dynamic, and are in continuous contact with the authorities and security partners," it added.
The French company CMA CGM suspended passage through the Suez Canal, while the Japanese company Nippon Yusen ordered its fleet to avoid the Strait of Hormuz.
Previously, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced in repeated high-frequency messages that ships are prohibited from crossing the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed.
These actions follow an unprovoked joint attack by the United States and Israel against Iran launched the previous day. In response, Tehran began Operation True Promise 4, defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
