Several shipping industry reports show that transits through the Strait of Hormuz are still heavily restricted. Commercial traffic is being affected by both Iranian enforcement and the U.S. naval blockade. As reported by Hellenic Shipping News, this has created an environment described as a “de facto closure”, regardless of official statements about a reopening.
The situation has continued to deteriorate in recent days, complicating planning for carriers and shippers. Hapag‑Lloyd’s CEO described conditions as highly changeable, warning that even if a ceasefire holds, a full operational recovery could take up to two months.
The situation escalated on April 22, 2026, when the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) acted against three container vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and detained two vessels, according to Splash247.
Financial and network impacts are already significant. gCaptain reported that Hapag‑Lloyd is currently spending $50–60 million each week on fuel, rerouting, and enhanced security measures. The same reporting indicated that roughly 1,000 commercial vessels are immobilized across the Middle East, including six Hapag‑Lloyd ships carrying approximately 25,000 containers.
Energy and commodity markets are also feeling the pressure. As reported by splash247, global LNG availability has declined by approximately 20% since hostilities began. Separately, ShippingWatch noted that U.S. naval forces intercepted and halted six vessels attempting to depart Iranian ports within the first 24 hours of enforcing a naval blockade, further restricting cargo flows.
On a larger scale, the International Monetary Fund has warned that the conflict could raise the risk of recession, while the International Energy Agency has signaled serious energy security concerns. ShippingWatch reporting cited analyst and CEO of Vespucci Maritie, Lars Jensen, who assessed that recovery would be prolonged. Expectations are that the disruption impacts will stretch into 2027.
Source: Hellenic Shipping News, ShippingWatch, splash247 (articles published April 15 and April 22, 2026)