Stay on top of port closures, security incidents, congestion events and freight rate movements impacting global shipping. Updated continuously from verified industry sources.
Bulk carriers carrying elemental sulphur cargoes have been stranded at anchorage in the Strait of Hormuz for over 60 days, far exceeding the 20-day cargo protection period and exposing vessels to severe accelerated structural corrosion. Marine consultancy Brookes Bell warns of significant structural damage risks and urges shipowners and insurers to assess affected vessels immediately.
El Niño conditions are returning, threatening to reduce water levels at the Panama Canal and force draught restrictions, with analysts estimating each 10cm draught reduction could cost Asia–US East Coast carriers around 100 containers per sailing. This is expected to squeeze canal capacity, leading to cargo rerouting, reduced loads, and potential congestion for vessels transiting between Asia and the US East Coast.
China's state-owned Cofco has booked at least six cargoes of US soybeans for September-October shipment, part of a broader agreement for China to purchase a minimum of 25 million tons of US soybeans annually through 2028. This surge in agricultural trade is expected to increase bulk carrier demand and cargo volumes on US-China shipping routes.
At least eight Mitsui OSK Lines vessels, including five supertankers, two chemical tankers, and a car carrier, are departing the Strait of Hormuz via a route near Iran after being trapped in the Persian Gulf since early March. Iran has asserted control over Hormuz, requiring vessels to obtain its authorization for transit, with the number of trapped large oil tankers expected to drop to just a few once these ships complete their crossing.
Bulk carriers carrying elemental sulphur cargoes have been stranded at anchorage in the Strait of Hormuz for over 60 days, far exceeding the 20-day protective coating period, leading to severe accelerated structural corrosion. Marine consultancy Brookes Bell warns shipowners, P&I clubs, and insurers to urgently assess affected vessels to mitigate structural damage and financial losses.
Bulk carriers carrying elemental sulphur cargoes have been stranded at anchorage in the Strait of Hormuz for over 60 days, far exceeding the 20-day protective coating lifespan, resulting in severe accelerated structural corrosion risks. Marine consultancy Brookes Bell warns shipowners, P&I clubs, and insurers to urgently assess affected vessels to prevent significant structural damage and financial loss.
Port Hedland has introduced a new salvage requirement that may affect vessel operations and port access. This regulatory change could lead to operational adjustments and potential delays for ships calling at one of Australia's busiest bulk export ports.
A fleet of 10 Japan-linked vessels, including six VLCCs carrying 12 million barrels of Middle Eastern crude, has begun exiting the Strait of Hormuz after being stranded in the Persian Gulf for months due to the Iran war. A South Korean-bound VLCC also exited the strait on Saturday and is expected to arrive at Onsan, South Korea, on July 26.
As of July 6, 2025, multiple container ships are present at Durban Container Terminals (Pier 1 and Pier 2/Durban Gateway Terminal), with six vessels berthed at PMT and three ships waiting at outer anchorage destined for DCT1, DCT2, Maydon Wharf MPT, and Point MPT. The anchorage queue may indicate congestion or delays at the Durban container terminals.
The Durban Multi-Purpose Terminals (Maydon Wharf and Point MPT) publish their daily ship movement updates as of 6 July 2026, listing numerous vessels currently in port, due to arrive, and waiting at the outer anchorage. A significant number of vessels are queued at the outer anchorage, indicating potential congestion at the port of Durban.
Saudi Arabia has significantly ramped up oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz following a U.S.-Iran agreement to reopen the sea lane, with exports more than doubling since June 17 as a backlog of tankers clears. However, tanker traffic remains volatile due to renewed hostilities, with throughput still well below the pre-conflict average of ~15 million barrels per day.
Singapore's residual fuel oil stocks declined 14% in June to 17.45 million bbls, with VLSFO availability remaining tight and supplier lead times extending to over four weeks. This supply tightness may cause bunkering delays and scheduling disruptions for vessels calling at the Port of Singapore.
The Port of Richards Bay and Richards Bay Coal Terminal are reporting regular ship movements as of 5 July 2026, with multiple vessels in port, at anchorage, and scheduled to berth in the coming days. No major disruptions are indicated, but anchorage congestion is noted with 11 vessels waiting, suggesting moderate port busyness.
The Port of Maputo daily ship movement report for 5 July 2026 lists vessels currently in port, at anchorage, and expected to berth, indicating normal but active port operations. Multiple vessels are queued at anchorage, suggesting moderate traffic levels with no reported disruptions.
Global ocean container shipping spot rates are surging across all major fronthaul trades, with Far East to US West Coast rates up +253% since the pre-Strait of Hormuz crisis baseline at end of February 2026, driven by strong peak season demand and ongoing Middle East uncertainty. Carriers are rapidly deploying record capacity on the Transpacific, but rates are expected to continue rising at least through mid-July 2026.
The June 2026 European heatwave has caused significant drops in Rhine and Danube river levels, forcing barges to operate at approximately 50% capacity and triggering low-water surcharges, with knock-on delays cascading to major North Sea and coastal deep-sea ports. The inland waterway disruptions are expected to ripple through ocean shipping schedules as cargo backs up at port terminals awaiting reduced-capacity river transport.
The Port of Beira (Mozambique) is reporting a significant number of vessels at anchorage (over 35 ships) compared to only 7 ships in port as of July 5, 2026, suggesting notable congestion. Container ship and general cargo ship schedules are listed as 'not available,' indicating potential operational disruptions at the port.
The Durban Multi-Purpose Terminals (Maydon Wharf MPT and Point MPT) are reporting active daily ship movements as of 4 July 2026, with multiple vessels in port, a busy berthing schedule extending through August 2026, and 13 vessels at the outer anchorage, indicating significant port activity and potential congestion. The high volume of vessels queued at anchorage and across 15 berths suggests possible delays and congestion at Durban port operations.
Asia-US transpacific container rates have surged dramatically due to frontloading ahead of tariff deadlines, with West Coast rates up nearly 3.5x since late February and tight capacity reflected by eight blank sailings announced. Congestion at US ports and compressed peak season volumes are expected to sustain elevated rates and potential delays through at least end of July 2026.
The Durban Multi-Purpose Terminals (Maydon Wharf and Point MPT) have published their daily ship movement update as of 2 July 2026, showing active berth occupancy, a busy schedule of vessel arrivals through August 2026, and a significant number of ships at the outer anchorage. The high volume of vessels in port and at anchorage may indicate congestion or delays at Durban's multipurpose terminals.
Multiple ports across the Americas are experiencing minor bunker fuel disruptions, including tight HSFO availability in Panama, potential offshore bunkering delays off Trinidad due to high winds and rough seas until 5 July, a temporary VLSFO/MGO sales suspension at Petrobras's Itaqui terminal in Brazil, and possible bunkering suspensions at Argentina's Zona Comun anchorage due to high wind gusts. Moderate visibility periods and high wind gusts are also forecast across several US Gulf and East Coast ports, potentially requiring standby tugs during bunkering operations in New York.
Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has resumed but remains abnormal, with operators facing continued uncertainty over routing, approvals, and passage control as Iran and the US dispute authority over traffic management. This ongoing geopolitical tension poses a risk of disruption, rerouting, or delays for vessels transiting the strait.
The Port of Beira (Mozambique) is experiencing significant anchorage congestion as of July 2, 2026, with over 35 vessels waiting at anchorage compared to only 8 ships in port. Container ship schedule information is currently unavailable, indicating potential delays and disruptions for vessels calling at Beira.
The Durban Multi-Purpose Terminals (Maydon Wharf and Point MPT) are reporting daily ship movements as of 2 July 2026, with multiple vessels in port, a busy berthing schedule extending through August 2026, and a significant number of ships at the outer anchorage. The anchorage count and dense berth lineup suggest potential congestion and waiting times at Durban port.