Spot container shipping rates between China and Europe are beginning to feel the impact of the war with Iran. The Drewry World Container Index of 12 March 2026 shows Shanghai–Rotterdam rates rising by 19% and Shanghai–Genoa by 10%, while increases on Asia–US routes are more moderate.

Between 11 and 12 March more cargo vessels, including container ships and tankers, were struck by Iran. Eleven merchant ships were involved within 24 hours. The case of the Source Blessing, operated by Hapag-Lloyd, shows that the threat is spreading across the wider area, while Brent crude has climbed back above $100 a barrel.

The Italian Guardia di Finanza in Pavia has enforced a final order issued by the Court of Rome: 118 properties and financial assets worth around €16 million have been confiscated from an entrepreneur active in goods handling at major national logistics hubs.

At LetExpo 2026 in Verona, Amazon presented the evolution of its European intermodal network: more than 200 sea and rail routes originating from or destined for Italy, twelve logistics nodes and the use of artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, flow stability and emissions reduction.

While hundreds of tankers remain stranded in the Persian Gulf due to the risk of attacks, Dynacom Tankers, owned by George Prokopiou, continues to send its vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The Shenlong has already delivered one million barrels of Saudi crude to India, with its transponder switched off for five days.