Carrier Status

The suspension of all nine major container carriers from Hormuz transit represents an unprecedented disruption to global maritime trade. These carriers collectively control over 85% of world container shipping capacity, and their withdrawal from the Persian Gulf route has effectively severed the primary trade artery connecting the energy-rich Gulf states with the manufacturing hubs of Asia and the consumer markets of Europe.

The cascading effects extend far beyond the immediate Gulf region. Vessels that would normally transit Hormuz in 1-2 days now face a 12-14 day detour around the Cape of Good Hope, adding approximately $500,000-$700,000 per voyage in fuel and operational costs. This has triggered a container shortage crisis as ships are tied up on longer routes, leaving ports in Asia and Europe with empty container yards. The surcharges imposed by carriers — ranging from $2,100 to $2,500 per TEU — are the highest ever seen in container shipping, surpassing even the pandemic-era peaks of 2021-2022.