Middle East Crisis & Global Shipping
Updated April 28, 2026
At a Glance
230
Laden tankers trapped
in the Persian Gulf
10-14 days
Added to Asia-Europe transit times
via Cape reroute
40+
Container vessels stranded (Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd)
$108/bbl
Brent crude (surging on failed diplomacy and tightening supply)
Standard shipping routes that once connected Asia to Europe in 30-35 days now take 44-50 days minimum. Ships can no longer transit the Strait of Hormuz or safely use the Suez Canal corridor, so they reroute around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa – that is roughly the distance from Tokyo to Jakarta. That is roughly the distance from Dubai to London, added on top of the standard route.
This Week
April 27-28 – Iran Offers Deal; Trump Unlikely To Accept
Iran submitted a new proposal via Pakistani mediators offering to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war – but only if the US lifts its naval blockade first, with nuclear talks postponed to a later phase. Foreign Minister Araghchi conducted a 72-hour diplomatic sprint through Pakistan, Oman, and Russia, meeting Putin in St Petersburg. Secretary of State Rubio described the proposal as “better than expected” but stressed that any deal must address the nuclear issue. Trump signalled he is unlikely to accept, appearing content to maintain pressure through the blockade. Brent crude surged past $108 per barrel as markets priced in a prolonged standoff.
April 25-26 – Strait Remains Shut; International Shipping Bodies Respond
The International Chamber of Shipping formally condemned the seizure of commercial vessels by both Iran and the US as violations of international law. Ship transits through the strait remained near zero – seven vessels in 24 hours versus a pre-war norm of over 100. Bloomberg described the dual blockade as leaving the world’s most important energy corridor “largely dormant.” The IEA characterised the disruption as the largest energy supply shock on record. Oil held above $105 per barrel through the week.
April 23-24 – Iran Seizes Two Container Ships
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard captured two MSC-operated container vessels – the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca and the Greek-owned Epaminondas – as they attempted to exit the strait, and fired on a third ship. Iran claimed the vessels were operating without permits. The seizures marked the first time Iran has captured commercial ships since the war began. Both vessels were taken to Bandar Abbas with 40 crew members on board. Brent crude jumped above $106 as the seizures effectively ended any remaining commercial traffic through the strait.
Earlier
Trump extended the US-Iran ceasefire indefinitely, citing Iran’s government being “seriously fractured” and requesting Tehran submit a unified proposal. The US naval blockade remained fully in force – only 3 ships transited in 24 hours. China’s Xi Jinping publicly called for the strait to reopen for the first time. Oil eased slightly to around $94 on the ceasefire extension, but the shipping situation was unchanged.
Iran’s Foreign Minister declared the strait open on April 18, and more than a dozen ships began transiting – but Iran reversed course within hours, firing on tankers and forcing approximately 20 vessels to turn around. The US Navy seized an Iranian cargo vessel on April 19. Earlier in the week, France and the UK coordinated a separate defensive mission while the US deployed 10,000 additional troops to the region. The Pentagon confirmed near-zero transits since the US blockade began on April 14.
Negotiations led by VP Vance collapsed after 21 hours. Trump announced a US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Oil surged to $102 per barrel. The IRGC and the US Navy both claimed authority over the strait.
A two-week ceasefire was announced on April 7. Oil fell from $111 to $94. Iran re-blocked the strait the next day after Israel resumed strikes in Lebanon. Houthi forces resumed attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea for the first time since October 2025, targeting multiple vessels including the US-flagged Maersk Yorktown. Limited talks began in Islamabad on April 10 but failed to produce a lasting agreement.
The conflict began on February 28. Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed and commercial traffic dropped to near zero. All major container lines – Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd – suspended transits and rerouted via the Cape of Good Hope. War risk underwriting was withdrawn across the Gulf. Over 800 vessels were reported trapped by early April.
What This Means for Your Move
Timelines have changed.
If your move coordinator is quoting 10-12 weeks where you expected 6-8, that reflects the additional 3,500 nautical miles per voyage and port congestion at alternative routes – not operational delay. These are the real timelines right now.
Costs have increased – and the reasons are genuine.
Shipping fuel costs have risen sharply. Carriers are applying emergency surcharges to cover the longer Cape of Good Hope routing. War risk underwriting premiums have increased dramatically. These costs are extremely volatile day to day and are passed through the supply chain. Your quote reflects what it actually costs to move goods safely right now.
Gulf-origin and Gulf-destination moves are most affected.
Approximately 230 tankers and 40+ container vessels remain stranded in the Persian Gulf. Ocean freight into or out of the Arabian Gulf is extremely limited. If your move involves Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait, or Bahrain, expect the most significant disruption.
Red Sea routes are also disrupted.
Houthi forces have resumed attacks on commercial shipping in the Gulf of Aden. Vessels transiting the Red Sea now require military escort. The Cape of Good Hope – already the default alternative – is under additional pressure.
Uncertainty is the biggest challenge.
Routes that worked yesterday may close tomorrow. Carriers that quoted rates on Monday may revise them by Friday. The ceasefire has been extended but the blockade continues, and negotiations have stalled. Planning with flexibility built in is essential.
Your Options
When immediate shipping doesn’t make sense – whether due to cost, timing, or uncertainty – there are alternatives worth considering. Your Asian Tigers move coordinator can help you decide which is right for your situation.
1. Storage Until Routes Stabilise
Your belongings stay secure in our warehouse while you settle at destination. When routes normalise and costs ease, we ship – often at significantly better rates.
2. Air Freight for Essentials
Ship a small consignment of essentials by air, with your full household goods following by sea when conditions improve. Many families find this the most practical option right now.
3. Staged Relocation
Move first, and your belongings follow when you’re settled and ready. This gives maximum flexibility and avoids locking in costs during peak disruption.
We’d rather give you a conservative estimate and have your shipment arrive early than create expectations that lead to disappointment. If timelines shift or costs change, you’ll hear from us before you have to ask.
This page is updated daily by Asian Tigers Group. We are a FIDI-accredited international moving company with offices across Asia.
Sources: Al Jazeera, AP News, Axios, BBC, Bloomberg, CBS News, CNBC, CNN, DASA Going Beyond, DW, EIA, Euronews, Financial Times, Fortune, gCaptain, Goldman Sachs, IEA, Insurance Journal, Lloyd’s List, Maersk, MARAD, MarineTraffic, Maritime Gateway, Military Times, NBC News, NPR, PBS, Reuters, S&P Global, Stars and Stripes, The Guardian, The National, Time, UNCTAD, UN News, USNI News, WFP, and industry intelligence.
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