Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz dropped sharply after U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, raising fears of supply disruption to one of the world’s most crucial energy routes.
Ship-tracking data from the IMF Port Watch show vessels avoiding the narrow waterway and rerouting around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, as insurers and shipping companies warn that the Gulf has become too risky for normal transit. Major carriers including Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have suspended or diverted voyages away from the region, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint that carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, so even partial disruptions can quickly affect global markets.
Oil prices jump as Middle East tensions escalate
Oil prices have already reacted.
But growing severe supply concerns and heightened geopolitical tensions in the region, Brent crude surged above $90 a barrel in early March, reaching a 19-month high. Experts
OPEC+ (Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, Oman) reaffirmed a “cautious approach” by pausing production increases through the first quarter of 2026 to stabilize volatile markets.
According to IMF PortWatch data, container traffic through the strait fell dramatically after the attacks, with some days seeing almost no vessels passing through the corridor, compared a month ago.
If the conflict continues or spreads, oil prices could climb even higher and shipping disruptions could last for weeks.