Stay on top of port closures, security incidents, congestion events and freight rate movements impacting global shipping. Updated continuously from verified industry sources.
Coaster shipping markets across the Black Sea, Mediterranean, Azov Sea, and North Europe are experiencing a deep summer lull, with weak cargo demand, tonnage oversupply, and falling freight rates. Traffic in the Black Sea is expected to remain slack over the next few weeks, with sluggish demand for new-crop wheat and limited exports of steel products and fertilizers.
China's crude oil imports fell sharply from March to June 2026, with May recording a ~47% year-on-year decline, driven by conflict-related disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz that severely curtailed tanker traffic through a waterway handling ~20% of global oil trade. While a partial normalization has begun following the June 17 Islamabad Memorandum between the US and Iran, shipping traffic through Hormuz remains well below pre-war levels, keeping VLCC freight rates elevated and the AG-to-China route in an oversupplied state as of early July 2026.
The Strait of Hormuz has faced severe disruption due to the US-Iran war, with tankers conducting 'dark' transits (transponders off, under cover of darkness) to move UAE crude out of the Persian Gulf; Sinokor Group has emerged as a dominant operator of these shuttle runs, controlling a significant share of available VLCCs. An interim US-Iran peace deal has since allowed more open transits, but freight rates remain elevated and traffic patterns through Hormuz continue to evolve.
VLCC freight rates on Middle East Gulf to China routes have declined sharply from post-conflict highs as transit activity through the Strait of Hormuz recovers following the US-Iran MOU, with over 308 recorded transits since June 15. Vessel availability in the Middle East Gulf is increasing as owners reposition tonnage back to the region, gradually unwinding the fleet dislocations and risk premiums that had elevated global freight rates during the disruption.
NORDEN reports that several months of disruption around the Strait of Hormuz have now resolved, with all chartered vessels previously stuck in the Persian Gulf having safely passed through the strait. The reduced cost impact from this disruption, combined with stronger dry cargo performance, has prompted NORDEN to raise its 2026 full-year net profit guidance to USD 120–190 million.
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is gradually recovering after a US-Iran standdown agreement, with 40 vessels transiting on Monday, though volumes remain 70% below pre-war levels. Shipping costs, freight rates, and risk premiums are beginning to ease, while Gulf and Red Sea port operations are expected to progressively reintegrate into mainstream trade routes.
Maersk's July 2026 North America Market Update reports an early, compressed peak shipping season with June import volumes forecast at 2.25 million TEUs (+14.3% YoY), causing tight space across Transpacific, Transatlantic, and IMEA trade lanes. Geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, tariff uncertainty, and tightening inland capacity are adding further pressure to North American gateway and corridor operations.
Indirect US-Iran talks have produced only a fragile 7-day agreement to keep the Strait of Hormuz calm, while Tehran asserts sovereign control over a designated passage corridor and warns that vessels deviating from its authorized route risk 'irreversible incidents.' Iran's push for joint sovereignty and tolling rights over the strait threatens long-term disruption to one of the world's most critical energy shipping corridors.
The UK has extended its Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to domestic shipping from July 1, 2026, covering cargo and passenger vessels of 5,000 GT and above on voyages between UK ports and in-port activities. Operators must monitor and surrender carbon allowances, adding compliance and cost burdens that may affect vessel scheduling and port operations across the UK.
LNG tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is recovering, with at least 10 empty LNG vessels transiting westward in a single week — the highest weekly count since the conflict began on February 28 — as Qatari LNG exports are expected to resume in September. Ships are currently navigating cautiously, hugging the Omani side of the strait, while geopolitical disruptions have taken nearly 20% of global LNG production offline, affecting freight rates and shipping routes.
Drewry reports only 24 blank sailings expected over five weeks (weeks 27–31, June 29 – August 2, 2026) across major East–West trades, representing a low 3% cancellation rate, as the Strait of Hormuz gradually reopens. Despite improving operational conditions, freight rates continue to rise, with the World Container Index reaching $4,166 per 40ft container, driven by strong demand and tight vessel availability during peak season.
Satellite images revealed a temporary structure and barrier at Scarborough Shoal's lagoon entrance in late May 2026, raising tensions in the disputed South China Sea near major shipping lanes. While the structure appears to have disappeared by June 1, ongoing Chinese coast guard patrols, access restrictions, and geopolitical friction at this strategically located atoll pose a potential risk of disruption or rerouting for vessels transiting nearby shipping routes.
A contract has been awarded for the construction of a surge protection breakwater at Geraldton Port, Australia. This construction project may cause temporary disruptions or slowdowns in port operations during the works period.
Iran is imposing or considering transit toll fees on commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, with some Greek shipping companies already reportedly paying fees in Chinese yuan. This development raises the risk of disruptions, rerouting, or increased costs for vessels transiting the strait, which handles a significant share of global oil and LNG shipments.
Nigeria's Dangote refinery is expanding its African distribution network, including a new four-berth marine jetty at its Nigerian refinery capable of loading LR2 tankers and smaller vessels, alongside a 240-million-barrel tank farm at Namibia's Walvis Bay port. These infrastructure developments signal increased maritime cargo activity at both Dangote's Nigerian refinery terminal and the port of Walvis Bay, potentially boosting tanker traffic across West and Southern African routes.