The de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz and operational disruptions at Gulf ports, including incidents at Jebel Ali, are reducing maritime transits and hitting the global ro-ro transport of new vehicles, increasing logistics times and costs on routes between Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

Drewry’s index of average container shipping spot rates rose to $1,958 per 40-foot unit (+3%) between late February and early March 2026. China–US routes increased, while Asia–Europe remained weak. Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and rising fuel costs could support further increases in the coming weeks.

In the port of Ancona, the Guardia di Finanza and the Agenzia delle Dogane seized 10,584,000 detonators and 314,000 rounds of ammunition bound for Cyprus. The cargo, declared as miscellaneous goods, was about to be loaded onto a passenger ferry in violation of safety regulations.

On 4 March 2026 a small container ship and a tanker were hit in the Persian Gulf area, which has been targeted by drone and missile attacks from Iran. The risk area for cargo vessels is expanding.

As of 4 March 2026, commercial transits through the Strait of Hormuz have fallen by 81% compared with January averages. The US administration has mobilised the Dfc to guarantee insurance coverage and announced naval escorts, while insurers invoke cancellation clauses and Brent reaches 82 dollars.