Hormuz, Red Sea, and Suez Shut Simultaneously — The Most Severe Multi-Node Shipping Crisis in Modern History
Summary: On February 28, the US and Israel launched joint military strikes on Iran, prompting Iran to blockade the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Yemen's Houthi rebels resumed missile and drone attacks on Red Sea shipping on March 2. Three critical chokepoints — the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea/Bab el-Mandeb, and the Suez Canal — have effectively shut down simultaneously, plunging global shipping into an unprecedented multi-front disruption. Major carriers have suspended Middle East bookings, rerouted en masse via the Cape of Good Hope, and imposed steep emergency surcharges. This article also covers the Casablanca port container spill and CMA CGM's new OCR service.
1. US-Israel Strikes on Iran: Timeline and Latest Developments
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched coordinated military operations — Operation Epic Fury and Operation Roaring Lion — targeting military and nuclear facilities across Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah.
Iran immediately mounted large-scale retaliation, launching missiles and drones at 27 US military bases across the Middle East. Attacks struck targets in 9 countries including Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and even a British military base in Cyprus. As of March 4, the conflict has entered its fifth day with no signs of de-escalation.
The US State Department has issued mandatory departure orders for American citizens in 14 Middle Eastern countries. Secretary of State Rubio stated that "the hardest hits on Iran are yet to come," signaling potential further escalation.
2. Strait of Hormuz Effectively Blockaded: Global Energy Lifeline Severed
The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most critical energy transit point, normally carrying 200-300 vessels daily and approximately 20% of global oil shipments. On February 28, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) broadcast VHF radio warnings prohibiting all vessel passage through the strait.
On March 2, a senior IRGC official publicly declared: "The strait is closed. If anyone tries to pass, the heroes of the Revolutionary Guard and the regular navy will set those ships ablaze."
The impact has been immediate and severe:
- Vessel traffic through Hormuz plummeted 81% within 24 hours of the strikes
- Over 150 vessels stranded near the strait
- At least 3 oil tankers attacked by Iranian forces, 5 tankers damaged, 2 crew members killed
- 9 LNG carriers rerouted on February 28 alone
- The US Navy declared the Persian Gulf an "Active War Zone"
In a particularly devastating escalation, Iran attacked Qatar's LNG facilities at Ras Laffan and Mesaieed, halting Qatari LNG production. Qatar supplies approximately 20% of the world's liquefied natural gas, making this a major threat to global energy markets.
Insurance market collapse: Major P&I clubs including Gard, Skuld, NorthStandard, the London P&I Club, and others have issued 72-hour war risk cancellation notices effective 00:00 GMT March 5. This means even willing vessels will face uninsurable transit conditions, effectively freezing all commercial passage through the strait.
3. Red Sea Crisis Returns: Houthi Attacks Resume, Suez Canal Shut Again
After approximately 3.5 months of relative calm tied to the Gaza ceasefire (late November 2025 to late February 2026), Yemen's Houthi rebels announced on March 2 that they would resume missile and drone attacks on Red Sea shipping and Israeli/American targets in solidarity with Iran.
The resumption of Red Sea attacks has directly caused:
- The Suez Canal route to be effectively abandoned as carriers collectively refuse to transit
- Carriers that had cautiously begun returning to Suez in early 2026 have now completely abandoned re-entry plans
- Industry consensus: container lines are unlikely to return to the Suez Canal in 2026
The global shipping industry now faces its most severe "three-chokepoint simultaneous shutdown" in modern history: Hormuz blockaded, Red Sea/Bab el-Mandeb under attack, Suez Canal shut down. The Cape of Good Hope has become the only viable route between Asia and Europe/Americas.
4. Middle East Port Status (As of March 4)
| Port | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Jebel Ali (Dubai) | Resumed operations | Suspended March 1 after interceptor debris caused a berth fire; DP World restored all 4 terminals by 18:00 GST; elevated security |
| Duqm (Oman) | Suspended | Hit by two drones; 1 foreign worker injured; port and Asyad drydock shut down |
| Bahrain | Suspended | All port operations halted nationwide, including pilotage services |
| Kuwait | Open (enhanced security) | All ports open; Shuwaikh elevated to ISPS Level 2 |
| Qatar | Open but severely restricted | Ras Laffan and Mesaieed traffic sharply reduced; GPS degradation; LNG facilities hit by Iran |
| Other UAE ports | Normal / high utilization | Sharjah open; Fujairah and Khor Fakkan at full capacity; Ruwais at ISPS Level 2 |
| Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan | Normal operations | No direct disruption reported |
Notably, Jebel Ali has a Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) of 791 — nearly double the next largest Gulf port. The Hormuz blockade means over 75% of the region's liner connectivity has gone dark. Carriers are using Salalah, Sohar, and Colombo as alternative discharge ports.
5. Carrier Emergency Response: Booking Suspensions, Reroutings, and Surcharges
Booking Suspensions & Vessel Shelter
- MSC: Suspended all worldwide cargo bookings to the Middle East until further notice. Vessels in or heading to the Gulf ordered to anchor in designated safe waters
- Maersk: Suspended all Hormuz transits, closed offices in UAE, Qatar, and Oman. Vessels already at Jebel Ali on standby
- CMA CGM: Suspended all new bookings and reefer reservations to the Middle East. Gulf vessels ordered to shelter at safe anchorages
- COSCO: Vessels already in the Gulf completing operations before anchoring in safe waters; inbound vessels slowing down and heading to safe anchorages; evaluating alternative discharge ports
- Hapag-Lloyd: Suspended all vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz
- ZIM: Ashdod and Haifa ports operational; dangerous goods transport may be adjusted
- Japanese carriers (NYK, MOL, K Line): All vessels ordered to stand by in safe areas
Mass Rerouting via Cape of Good Hope
Multiple carriers have abandoned all 2026 Suez Canal return plans, collectively choosing the Cape of Good Hope:
- Maersk ME11 (Middle East-India to Med) and MECL (Middle East-India to US East Coast) rerouted via Cape
- CMA CGM: All Suez Canal sailings diverted
- Hapag-Lloyd IMX service rerouted via Cape
- Maersk confirmed MV Houston and Astrid Maersk will divert via Cape from Salalah on March 5 and 12
What does Cape rerouting mean?
- Asia-Europe and Asia-US East Coast transit times increase by 10-14 days
- Fuel costs up 20%-30%
- War risk insurance premiums may surge 50%-100% (from ~0.25% to 0.375%-0.5% of vessel replacement value)
Emergency Surcharges
| Carrier | Surcharge | 20ft | 40ft | Reefer/Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMA CGM | Emergency Conflict Surcharge (ECS) | $2,000 | $3,000 | $4,000 |
| Hapag-Lloyd | War Risk Surcharge (WRS) | $1,500/TEU | $3,000 | $3,500 |
| Maersk | Emergency Freight Increase | $1,800/TEU | $3,000 | — |
CMA CGM's surcharge applies to all cargo to/from 13 Middle Eastern countries including Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Hapag-Lloyd's WRS covers all cargo to/from the Persian/Arabian Gulf, including existing unshipped bookings and cargo already on the water.
Spot rates from China to North Europe and the Mediterranean remain 48% and 79% elevated respectively versus pre-crisis levels (December 2023 baseline), with further increases expected as the situation continues.
6. Impact on Global Trade
- China is particularly exposed: over 30% of its LNG imports and ~40% of its oil imports transit the Strait of Hormuz
- Container routes to the Middle East and Europe face comprehensive disruption with rapidly rising rates
- Cape of Good Hope rerouting adds 10-14 days to transit times, critically impacting time-sensitive cargo (perishables, seasonal goods)
- Combined war risk insurance and surcharges could add $2,000-$4,000 per container to shipping costs
- The Middle East is a key trade partner along the Belt and Road Initiative, and bilateral trade logistics are severely disrupted
We advise exporters to closely monitor developments, maintain constant communication with freight forwarders, and prepare contingency plans for extended delivery times and increased costs for Middle East-bound cargo.
7. Casablanca Port Container Spill Incident
Beyond the Middle East crisis, the shipping industry also dealt with a major port safety incident. On the night of February 25, the container ship "Ionikos" — Greek-owned and operated by Hapag-Lloyd — encountered heavy swells while departing Casablanca, Morocco. Approximately 85 containers fell overboard near the port entrance, scattering across the main navigation channel.
The Ionikos (Liberian flag, 52,427 DWT, 4,360 TEU capacity, built 2009) was operating an Eastern Mediterranean-Gulf of Guinea route with stops in Nigeria and other West African ports. It had completed cargo operations and was bound for Barcelona when the incident occurred.
Key consequences:
- Morocco's National Ports Agency suspended all operations at Casablanca port at approximately 23:00 on February 26
- Royal Maritime Gendarmerie and Royal Navy deployed 5 vessels and 1 helicopter for search and recovery
- Lost cargo included auto parts, furniture, and consumer goods; at least one container washed ashore
- The Ionikos anchored approximately 6 nautical miles offshore
- Port shutdown lasted several days, severely impacting Moroccan trade
8. CMA CGM Launches OCR Direct Service: Japan/South China to North Europe
Amid the reshaping of global shipping, CMA CGM announced on February 27 the launch of the Ocean Rise Express (OCR) service, providing direct connections between Japan/South China and North Europe.
- Port rotation: Kobe - Nagoya - Yokohama - Xiamen - Yantian - Rotterdam - Hamburg - Southampton - Nansha - Kobe
- Frequency: Weekly
- Fleet: 14 vessels (7,000-10,000 TEU), including one 8,000 TEU LNG-powered ship
- Inaugural sailing: April 2, 2026 from Kobe
- Fully CMA CGM operated (no alliance partners)
| Origin | To Rotterdam | To Hamburg | To Southampton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yokohama | 38 days | 41 days | 45 days |
| Yantian | 32 days | 35 days | 38 days |
Notably, the OCR routes via the Cape of Good Hope (not Suez), giving it a natural resilience advantage in the current environment. The service fills a gap left by ONE's discontinuation of its direct Japan-Europe pendulum service.
9. Recommendations for Exporters
- Assess in-transit and pending cargo: Contact your freight forwarder immediately for Middle East-bound shipments; notify buyers of potential delivery delays
- Anticipate rate increases: Cape rerouting will push rates across all routes; China-Europe rates may rise significantly in the next 2-4 weeks; lock in space and rates early
- Build supply chain resilience: Explore alternative transport modes including air freight and rail (China-Europe Railway Express) for routes heavily dependent on Suez or Middle East corridors
- Review insurance coverage: War risk premiums are surging; confirm existing policy coverage and consider additional protection
- Stay informed: The situation is highly fluid with frequent policy and rate changes; maintain close contact with your freight forwarder and carriers
10. How Mighty International Can Help
With 25 years of international logistics expertise, Qingdao Mighty International can support you through this crisis:
- Real-time rate comparisons across major global routes to help you make optimal decisions amid volatile pricing
- Tracking and alternative port coordination for Middle East-bound cargo in transit
- Priority booking for Cape of Good Hope rerouted services to protect your delivery timelines
- Rapid quotation and arrangement of alternative transport via air freight and China-Europe Railway Express
- One-stop customs declaration and inspection services to keep clearance on track
The situation is evolving rapidly, and every day counts for your shipping costs and delivery commitments. For urgent bookings, route consulting, or alternative transport solutions, please contact Mighty International Freight Forwarding — we are here to help you navigate these challenging times.