Major container shipping companies Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have re-suspended transits through the Strait of Hormuz following Iran’s Saturday announcement that the strait is closed again.
The suspensions come just one day after both companies had cautiously resumed or considered resuming transits following Iran’s April 17 reopening declaration. The rapid reversal underscores the fragility of current arrangements.
Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, and CMA CGM had originally suspended all Strait of Hormuz transits and related Red Sea routes at the start of the 2026 Iran war in late February. Most shipping has been rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope at substantially higher cost.
Kpler data firm had warned Friday that even with reopening, it could take “months, not weeks” to return to normal. The Saturday re-closure reinforces that timeline and keeps insurance premiums for Gulf transits prohibitive.