Three cargo vessels – a container ship, the bulk carrier Mayuree Naree and an unidentified ship – were hit by projectiles on 11 March 2026 in the Strait of Hormuz and its approaches, amid a sharp military escalation in the region.

On the morning of 11 March 2026 the British Royal Navy reported that a cargo ship had been struck in the Strait of Hormuz, as concerns grow over mines that Iran may deploy in the area.

The Brescia-based Germani group has acquired a majority stake in Bavarian operator Löblein Transport, which specialises in intermodal transport between Germany and Italy. The deal forms part of the company’s growth strategy following Eurizon’s investment in the group.

A joint position paper by Cer and Espo urges the European Union to strengthen integration between port and rail infrastructure. Priorities include regulatory simplification in port areas, improved operational coordination and a budget of at least €100 billion for the Connecting Europe Facility programme.

The disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the halt in LNG production in Qatar have intensified competition for natural gas. An increasing number of LNG carriers originally bound for Europe are being redirected to Asia, where buyers are offering higher prices.