First Half 2026 Shipping Market Review: ClarkSea Index Up 61%

The Strait of Hormuz closure (from March 2026) caused a 95% drop in transits through this critical chokepoint, severely disrupting global energy shipping before partially recovering following a US-Iran deal in late June 2026. Compounding disruptions include continued Red Sea rerouting, Panama Canal delays, and roughly 1,000 ships trapped in the Gulf, driving charter rates and freight rates to record highs across tanker, LPG, LNG, and container sectors.