Carrier Status
All major container carriers have suspended Hormuz transit
45+ Vessels Trapped in Persian Gulf
An estimated 45 or more commercial vessels are currently unable to exit the Persian Gulf due to the suspension of Hormuz transit. These vessels — including tankers, container ships, and bulk carriers — are anchored at ports in Dubai, Bahrain, and Kuwait awaiting either a strait reopening or the long detour around the Cape of Good Hope. Daily demurrage costs exceed $50,000 per vessel.
Emergency Surcharges
| Surcharge Type | Pre-Crisis | Current | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| War Risk Premium (per transit) | $125K | $2M-$3M | 16-24x |
| Container Surcharge (per TEU) | $0 | $2,100-$2,500 | NEW |
| Cape of Good Hope Detour (per vessel) | $0 | $500K-$700K | NEW |
| Bunker Adjustment Factor | $45/TEU | $185/TEU | +311% |
Carrier TEU Breakdown
Historical Comparison
| Crisis | Duration | Peak Oil Spike | Trade Impact | Carriers Affected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hormuz 2026 | 88+ days | +56% | 21% world oil | 9/9 major |
| OPEC Embargo 1973 | 5 months | +400% | 7M bbl/day cut | N/A (pre-container) |
| Tanker War 1984-88 | 4 years | +30% | Reduced traffic | Partial rerouting |
| Red Sea 2024-25 | 12+ months | +8% | 12% traffic rerouted | 4/9 major |
| Suez Blockage 2021 | 6 days | +5% | $60B trade delayed | All (temporarily) |
Impact on Global Shipping
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.