Shipping industry on high alert as Middle East tensions escalate

The global shipping industry has moved swiftly to shield fleets and crews as tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran spill into key maritime corridors, prompting warnings from governments, international bodies and major operators over rising risks in the Strait of Hormuz and beyond.

In Cyprus, the Deputy Ministry of Shipping over the weekend urged owners and operators of Cyprus-flagged vessels to avoid calls and commercial transactions in ports or countries where political instability, armed conflict or civil unrest prevail, or where such risks appear imminent.

In a circular signed by Acting Permanent Secretary Theodoulos Mesimeris, the ministry called on owners, managers, directors and masters operating in or transiting through affected areas to maintain heightened vigilance and close communication with port authorities, the flag state and local agents, in line with the ISPS Code.

Ships were advised to step up onboard security measures as appropriate to safeguard both vessel and crew.

Given the ongoing military escalation in the wider region, the ministry further recommended that Cyprus-flagged vessels implement precautions equivalent to ISPS security level 3, in accordance with their approved ship security plans.

Captains were urged to carefully assess the security situation at each port of call, as well as when navigating or remaining in territorial waters, and to adopt additional protective measures where necessary.

The circular also called for a re-evaluation of transits through the Strait of Hormuz and other affected areas, suggesting vessels consider remaining at a safe port or anchorage in neighbouring countries outside the high-risk zone until conditions stabilise.

Operators were additionally advised to continuously monitor NAVTEX navigational warnings and to immediately report any security-related incident to the Deputy Ministry of Shipping.

Meanwhile, Greece has taken similar steps, with the Ministry of Shipping and Insular Policy placed on high alert over developments in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic artery for global energy and commodity trade.

Shipping Minister Vasilis Kikilias said the ministry’s Operations Centre is in constant communication with companies operating Greek-owned or Greek-managed vessels in the wider region.

“Doing everything necessary to safeguard Greek shipping and Greek seafarers,” the minister said, stressing preparedness and immediate response capability in case of further escalation.

At the same time, international shipping organisations have raised the alarm over direct attacks on merchant vessels.

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation, Arsenio Dominguez, said he was “deeply concerned by reports of at least one fatality and several seafarers injured in attacks on merchant vessels”, stressing that no attack on innocent seafarers or civilian shipping is ever justified.

He added that crews are “simply doing their jobs” and must be protected from the effects of wider geopolitical tensions.

Turning to the legal framework, he emphasised that freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international maritime law and must be respected by all parties without exception.

“My thoughts are with the injured seafarers and their families,” Dominguez said, underlining that their safety and welfare remain the organisation’s highest priority.

He also urged shipping companies to exercise maximum caution and, where possible, to avoid transiting the affected region until conditions improve, while warning against disinformation and calling on stakeholders to rely only on verified and authoritative sources.

Beyond government and institutional responses, commercial operators have begun adjusting routes and suspending services as security risks mount.

According to Bloomberg and Reuters, global shipping and logistics operators started scaling back operations across the Middle East over the weekend as concerns intensified across major maritime chokepoints.

DP World suspended operations at all terminals at Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port, the largest container hub in the Middle East and a pillar of Dubai’s trade and logistics economy.

The move was described as a precautionary measure in a notice to customers seen by Bloomberg.

A fire broke out at one of the berths after debris from an aerial interception fell inside the port area, the Dubai Press Office said in a post on X, adding that Civil Defence teams were working to contain the blaze early on Sunday.

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company announced it is halting all new bookings for cargo destined for the Middle East until further notice.

The company said it continues to monitor developments closely and is working with relevant authorities to safeguard operations, with bookings set to resume once security conditions improve.

Japan’s largest LNG buyer and power producer, Jera, said it is evacuating its entire Dubai-based staff of 17 people as a precaution.

Maersk stated it would suspend vessel transits through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Suez Canal, redirecting ships around the Cape of Good Hope instead.

“Due to the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East region following the escalation of the military conflict, we have decided to suspend future trades via the Suez Canal and Bab el-Madaga for the time being,” the Danish shipping group said.

Although Maersk had last month announced a phased return of some services via the Suez route, widely seen as a step towards easing nearly two years of disruption caused by attacks in the Red Sea, it said the latest escalation had forced a reassessment.

“Once the situation stabilises and security conditions allow again, we will continue to prioritise the Suez route,” the company added.

Maersk also confirmed it is suspending all transits through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice, warning that services calling at ports in the Arabian Gulf may face delays, rerouting or schedule adjustments, although it continues to accept cargo for the Middle East.

Meanwhile, the US Navy has created a wide maritime warning zone covering the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, northern Arabian Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, advising that the safety of commercial vessels cannot be guaranteed.

Ships have been told to keep at least 30 nautical miles from warships, while authorities warned of potential GPS jamming and spoofing, with the directive circulated globally and placing international shipping on heightened alert.

The EU naval mission ASPIDES in the Red Sea has also been placed on high alert, warning that the risk of attacks on commercial shipping cannot be ruled out, with European officials describing the situation as “extremely dangerous”.

Ships are already altering course in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, reflecting mounting concern among operators.

The tanker owners’ association Intertanko warned that the Houthis could resume attacks, although intelligence remains mixed.

While a full closure of the Strait of Hormuz is considered unlikely, analysts caution that Iran could pursue targeted seizures of vessels linked to US or Israeli interests, potentially triggering wider market disruption.

War risk premiums are expected to surge, with some vessels facing difficulties in securing cover.

Reports of explosions near Kharg Island, through which around 90 per cent of Iran’s crude oil exports pass, have further intensified concerns over energy flows.

For now, international shipping is navigating an exceptionally fluid and high-risk environment across some of the world’s most strategically sensitive maritime corridors, as operators weigh crew safety and security against the imperative of keeping global trade moving.