Total imports have fallen since the crisis began. A fourth US waiver on Russian crude oil would mitigate any additional supply disruptions to a tightening crude oil market

Almost all vessel classes have been hit by rate increases, as the Houthis declare a ban on Israeli vessels operating in the Red Sea

Israel and Iran have exchanged direct strikes for the first time since April’s ceasefire, as the US continues its naval blockade on Iranian oil seizing another sanctioned tanker

Zhonggu’s expansion targets the growing demand for regional services driven by the Middle East crisis and foreign cargo flows diverted into new shipping routes because of trade disputes

Signs point to the US Naval blockade being effective in curbing exports of Iranian crude oil with only a trickle making its way to China in May as the crisis approaches the 100-day mark

Spot container freight rates continue their ascent as ocean carriers pass along much higher fuel costs resulting from the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. If the strait doesn’t reopen soon, the impact on container market could intensify

Marine insurers are warning that Red Sea turmoil is exposing significant gaps in cargo war cover, prompting calls to modernise decades‑old policy wordings before they end up tested in court

The absence of a ‘severe’ delay spike, near-total evaporation of vessel arrivals and rampant service cancellations indicates that the Hormuz crisis has ‘not yet manifested as a global event’

Resurgence in crude oil tanker transits driven by Strait of Hormuz shutdown, but no evidence of a Red Sea revival as Bab el Mandeb traffic down 45% on 2023 volumes

There are a significant number of bulkers stuck in the Middle East Gulf, but there are less visible constraints on tonnage supply elevating the market