Middle East Conflict

The Middle East crisis has disrupted global supply chains, affecting the flow of crude oil, condensate, and LNG, as well as large quantities of urea, ammonia, sulfur, aluminum, steel, and plastics from the Persian Gulf. With shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz reduced to a trickle, hundreds of commercial vessels—including bulk carriers, tankers, and offshore support ships—along with their crews, remain trapped and under threat of attack. The situation in the Middle East continues to change by the hour and stays highly dynamic.

To give you the best possible business insights, we’ve compiled our comprehensive news, opinion, and feature coverage for quick, easy access.

COSCO box ships turn back from Hormuz; data indicates countries with access

27 Mar 2026by Georgios Georgiou

Sanctioned Iran‑linked vessels, alongside Greek, Chinese and Indian ships, are dominating traffic through the strategic waterway

At least US$25Bn, and years, to restore energy infrastructure damaged in Iran war

27 Mar 2026by Jamey Bergman

’Capital alone will not be sufficient’ to bring Qatar LNG’s damaged Ras Laffan facilities back online, says Rystad Energy’s analysis, which points to fragility in the manufacturing supply chain

Shipping enters controlled wartime access regime

27 Mar 2026by Craig Jallal

Windward’s latest update notes that Hormuz traffic has not stopped, but now runs through selective passage, degraded visibility and growing insurance pressure

From fertiliser to coal and steel: the impact of Middle East turmoil on dry bulk

27 Mar 2026by Georgios Georgiou

While energy flows remain the central Gulf story, the dry bulk sector is also feeling the impact

Update: Libya tows damaged LNG carrier to safety away from oil and gas infrastructure

26 Mar 2026by Jamey Bergman

Libyan authorities have towed fire- and explosion-damaged Russian LNG carrier Arctic Metagaz across the Mediterranean to a safe anchorage

UK moves to board sanctioned shadow fleet tankers

26 Mar 2026by Craig Jallal

British government says sanctioned vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet face boarding, detention and possible criminal proceedings if they transit UK waters

Hormuz: IRGC refuses UAE box ship's transit; COSCO restarts Persian Gulf bookings

25 Mar 2026by Riviera News

IRGC Navy Commander says passage through the Strait of Hormuz for any vessel requires ’full co-ordination with Iran’s maritime authority’

Regional conflicts drive 50% spike in GNSS interference incidents

25 Mar 2026by Martyn Wingrove

A community of ship operators and owners has reported a huge increase in jamming and spoofing

Hormuz disruption leaves LNG transits near zero

25 Mar 2026by Craig Jallal

LNG crossings through Hormuz have fallen close to zero, while the Lloyd’s market says insurance remains available for ships willing to sail

More Indian LPG carriers set to transit Hormuz; Iran-linked vessel appears en route

25 Mar 2026by Georgios Georgiou

India-flagged vessels have approached the Strait’s exit, according to intelligence data

Iran 'continues to consolidate control over Strait of Hormuz'

24 Mar 2026by Jamey Bergman

With mines reportedly in place, the IRGC is extending its controlled access through the Strait for some, while escalating security risk for others, says maritime intelligence consultancy Windward AI

Middle East crisis: why Latin America’s energy supplies matter more than ever

24 Mar 2026by Craig Jallal

Vortexa notes that Latin America’s crude oil, LNG and LPG flows are becoming more strategically important as Middle East disruption tightens global energy markets

Oman 'working intensively' on safe passage for vessels through Strait of Hormuz

24 Mar 2026by Jamey Bergman

Omani foreign minister Badr Albusaidi has claimed that the Sultanate, which has been an intermediary for Iran and the US in nuclear negotiations, is attempting to secure safe passage for vessels through the strait

From theory to reality: scenario analysis for Strait of Hormuz tanker trades

23 Mar 2026by Craig Jallal

MSI’s latest scenario modelling asks what happens to Gulf tanker trades when Strait of Hormuz access shifts from disruption to prolonged denial

Rise of anti-GPS-jamming tech reflects high risks for seafarers

23 Mar 2026by Martyn Wingrove

Jamming and spoofing attacks are increasing in conflict zones, putting shipping at risk of groundings and collisions

Middle East crisis: southern Asia LNG plans face economic strain

23 Mar 2026by Craig Jallal

GEM says southern Asia’s US$107M gas infrastructure pipeline faces pressure from high LNG costs, stalled projects and Hormuz-linked disruption

Sustained Iranian oil flows amid Hormuz disruption reflect prepositioned supply since late 2025

20 Mar 2026by Georgios Georgiou

If tensions persist and producers continue prioritising domestic needs, analysts warn of potential global supply destruction

Missile attacks on QatarEnergy LNG reduce export capacity 17%

20 Mar 2026by Jamey Bergman

QatarEnergy said it estimates annual revenue loss at US$20Bn due to damage from retaliatory Iranian strikes on the Ras Laffan LNG facility

How much committed Qatar LNG is now trapped behind the Strait of Hormuz?

20 Mar 2026by Craig Jallal

Review of QatarEnergy annual reports suggests a large SPA book is now trapped behind Hormuz, with Drewry warning market strain will worsen over time

Salvors prepare for war-zone ship response

20 Mar 2026by Martyn Wingrove

Salvage providers and insurance representatives have been sent to the Middle East to assist distressed ships struck by projectiles

IMO moves to start immediate talks on humanitarian corridor for stranded Gulf seafarers

19 Mar 2026by Georgios Georgiou

IMO also called on member states to ensure trapped ships have water, food, fuel, and other essentials

CMA CGM launches multimodal solutions to bypass the Strait of Hormuz

19 Mar 2026by Rebecca Moore

CMA CGM is deploying emergency multimodal solutions for its customers to support supply chains in the United Arab Emirates and the northern Gulf without transiting through the Strait of Hormuz

US issues 60-day Jones Act waiver, industry questions market impact

19 Mar 2026by Georgios Georgiou

The White House said the move aims to mitigate disruptions in the oil market

Iranian reprisal for attack on world's largest gas field hits Qatar LNG facility, ports and vessels

19 Mar 2026by Jamey Bergman

Strikes on Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG facility and the UAE’s Khor Fakkan have caused another energy price spike and left two vessels damaged and a crew member missing

Hormuz closure week two: tanker markets highly volatile

19 Mar 2026by Craig Jallal

Brokers and analysts point to a tanker market still under war pressure, with scarce Hormuz transits and freight drifting away from cargo fundamentals

20,000 seafarers trapped in Gulf as US urges Hormuz reopening, IMO weighs evacuation corridor

18 Mar 2026by Georgios Georgiou

More than 90 countries condemn Iran’s attacks, as Tehran points to US and Israeli actions for worsening maritime security

Hormuz warning ripples across global shipping chokepoints

18 Mar 2026by Craig Jallal

Hormuz showed how drones, war-risk cover and fear can stop shipping before a formal blockade. Other chokepoints may be no better prepared

India faces LPG supply crisis, despite VLGC transits through Hormuz

18 Mar 2026by Georgios Georgiou

With 90% of its LPG imports from the Middle East, India looks to viable alternatives to meet its supply crunch

Merchant ships caught in crossfire as Iran broadens strikes on UAE energy targets

17 Mar 2026by Jamey Bergman

Iran broadcast an intent to strike UAE ports and facilities after US strikes on the Iran-controlled Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf

Marine fuel tightness looms as Middle East tensions restrict vessel movements

16 Mar 2026by Georgios Georgiou

IBIA executive director Alexander Prokopakis said the limited availability at some ports reflects force majeure measures and heightened safety protocols

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