As of March 9, 2026, the shipping industry is facing a massive disruption in the Persian Gulf. Following military escalations between the US-Israeli alliance and Iran on February 28, the northern “Upper Gulf” has become a “no-go” zone for many major carriers.
Major Carriers Suspending Bookings
The world’s largest shipping lines have shifted from “caution” to a total halt of new bookings for the region. This is driven by crew safety concerns and the “effective closure” of the Strait of Hormuz.
MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Co.): As of March 1, the world’s largest carrier suspended all worldwide bookings to the Middle East. It has declared an “end of voyage” for cargo currently on the water, meaning shipments will be diverted to the nearest “safe port” and released there.
Maersk: On March 4, Maersk announced a suspension of new bookings for the Upper Gulf, specifically targeting ports in the UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and eastern Saudi Arabia(Dammam/Jubail). Exceptions are only being made for critical food and medicine.
ONE (Ocean Network Express): On March 2, ONE halted all new cargo bookings to and from the Persian Gulf citing a “rapidly evolving security situation.”
Hapag-Lloyd & CMA CGM: Both have suspended transits through the Strait of Hormuz and have stopped accepting bookings for the Upper Gulf region.
Key Operational Restrictions
Strait of Hormuz Closure: Although not legally blocked by a decree, the waterway is “effectively closed” for commercial traffic. Traffic has plunged by over 80% since March 1.
Electronic Warfare: Massive GPS spoofing and AIS (Automatic Identification System) interference are being reported. Over 1,100 ships have reported navigation disruptions, making it unsafe for vessels to track their positions accurately.
War Risk Surcharges: For the few vessels still moving, “Emergency Conflict Surcharges” have skyrocketed, with some lines charging up to $2,000 per TEU on top of standard rates.