Danish shipping group Maersk suspended all crossings through the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, 1 March 2026. The company made this decision after the USA and Israel carried out military strikes on Iran. Consequently, Iran retaliated with missile barrages against Israel and targets linked to USA forces across the Gulf.
Maersk cited a deteriorating security situation. The company prioritises the safety of crews, vessels, and customer cargo. Furthermore, the Danish company warned that services calling at ports in the Arabian Gulf face delays, rerouting, and schedule changes.
How the Maersk transit pause reshapes Gulf routes
In an operational update published on 1 March, Maersk stated it is suspending all vessel crossings in the Strait of Hormuz until further notice. This decision disrupts services calling at ports across the Gulf. Vessels must wait, divert, or adjust schedules while risk conditions remain volatile.
However, Maersk still accepts cargo for the Middle East. Shippers can continue to book containers and logistics services. Nevertheless, they must expect longer and less predictable transit times. Maritime routes and port operations in the region require continuous reassessment.
The Hormuz decision accompanies other emergency measures. Maersk paused Trans-Suez sailings for key services passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Suez Canal. The company rerouted selected sailings around the Cape of Good Hope. This detour around southern Africa adds significant sailing time compared to the Red Sea route.
Why the Strait of Hormuz is a critical oil chokepoint
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow passage between Iran and Oman. It links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. This waterway is central to regional trade and global energy security.
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), oil flows through the strait averaged about 20 million barrels per day in 2024. This volume equals approximately 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption. Furthermore, the EIA estimates that Hormuz carries more than one-quarter of global seaborne oil trade.
The strait also plays a critical role in gas markets. Around one-fifth of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade transited Hormuz in 2024. These exports primarily originate from Qatar. Disruptions here ripple into global pricing, insurance costs, and shipping availability. Consequently, European markets experience direct knock-on effects.
Alternative export routes exist, but they remain limited. Pipeline capacity available to bypass Hormuz reaches only about 2.6 million barrels per day. This fraction cannot replace maritime flows.
Regional security escalation and attacks near Oman
The decision by Maersk followed a sharp regional escalation. The USA and Israel struck military targets in Iran. Subsequently, Iran retaliated with missile barrages toward Israel and the wider Gulf area. Regional governments confirmed they intercepted incoming missiles.
The spillover risk links to the proximity of military facilities. Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait host USA forces. The latest exchanges raise concerns that commercial shipping lanes face direct exposure to escalation.
Separately, maritime authorities in Oman reported an attack on the oil tanker Skylight. This incident occurred close to the Musandam peninsula near the Strait of Hormuz. The attack underlines how quickly conflict spills into commercial maritime activity.
Other major carriers also adjusted their operations. The shipping company MSC suspended all cargo bookings to the Middle East. CMA CGM announced the suspension of its Suez Canal operations and ordered vessels to seek shelter.
Impact on Europe and Nordic supply chains
Europe holds a lower immediate exposure to Gulf oil compared to Asian importers. However, energy price formation remains global. A sustained disruption in Hormuz raises freight and insurance costs. It also tightens tanker and LNG availability.
For Nordic countries, the impact is both economic and logistical. Maersk has its headquarters in Copenhagen (København) and acts as a major player in global logistics. Longer routes and schedule uncertainty filter directly into European supply chains. This affects imports of manufactured goods and industrial components. Maersk will review its decisions as security conditions evolve.
Beyond the economic consequences for European and Nordic states, the escalation carries a significant human cost. A new phase of military conflict generates deep regional instability. Furthermore, the future of the Iranian people remains highly uncertain amid these expanding hostilities.
