Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz was virtually paralyzed on Thursday when Iran opened fire on commercial vessels and announced the seizure of at least two of them. This incident, occurring for the first time in nearly eight weeks of conflict in the Middle East, has raised serious concerns among global maritime carriers.
Maersk's Statement on the Closure of the Strait
The Strait of Hormuz remains 'firmly closed,' said Danish company Maersk, the world's second-largest container shipping giant, on Thursday. This alarming assessment is driven not only by high geopolitical tensions in the Middle East but also by recent attacks by Iran on three container ships owned by the company.
In an official statement, Maersk emphasized: 'We cannot guarantee the safe transport and security of our people. The property and cargo of our customers remain our top priority.' The company also added that 'our team based in the Gulf countries is continuously assessing the situation amid ongoing dynamism and volatility. We will continue to monitor the situation and evaluate options for further action.'
Escalation of the Situation and Seizure of Vessels
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has virtually ceased on Thursday after Iranian forces opened fire on commercial vessels. Moreover, Iran announced the seizure of at least two of them, marking the first such incident in nearly eight weeks of ongoing conflict.
Early Thursday morning, only one bulk carrier, LB Energy, was spotted in the strait, with no vessels entering the waters. The oil products tanker Ocean Jewel is currently drifting at the entrance to the strait, having interrupted its transit immediately after Iranian forces attacked three ships.
Two of these vessels — MSC Francesca and Epaminondas — were subsequently boarded by Iranian forces. This act marked a new, more aggressive phase in Tehran's efforts to establish full control over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
However, at least one vessel managed to pass through the strait after the shooting incidents. The bulk carrier Ascanio, managed by a Greek company and sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, delivered food to Iran and crossed the strait late Wednesday night. Ascanio is now continuing its journey south through the Gulf of Oman, demonstrating that not all routes are completely blocked, but the risks remain extremely high.
U.S. Reaction and Actions
The United States, for its part, announced the deployment of 31 vessels since April 13, when its warships began blocking the Iranian coast. Most of these vessels were oil tankers, highlighting the strategic importance of the region.
