Israel has launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, causing tension in the domestic shipping industry. If tensions between the two countries escalate, both container services that regularly transport cargo to the Middle East and bulk shipping services that transport raw materials could be affected.
Many domestic shipping companies, including HMM, operate transportation services through the Strait of Hormuz. HMM runs regular routes from South Korea, China, and Thailand to Bahrain, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates. The Strait of Hormuz, which is only 54 kilometers wide, is easily influenced by the nearby situation in Iran.
Sinokor Merchant Marine and Heung-A Shipping also operate regular container routes that pass through Shanghai and reach Dubai, while Pan Ocean has bulk routes going to Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Kuwait from various locations worldwide. Companies such as SK Shipping, H-Line Shipping, and Hyundai LNG Shipping, which transport crude oil and other commodities, also have networks in the Middle East.
As a result, shipping companies, as well as forwarding agents connecting shippers and carriers, are closely monitoring the situation regarding Israel's airstrikes on Iran. The Strait of Hormuz is the only maritime route leading to major ports in the Middle East, so if operations in the strait are disrupted, companies will need to find alternative ports for cargo transport and secure land transportation or feeder vessels.
According to the National Logistics Integrated Information Center, the cargo volume with Middle Eastern countries such as Oman, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan recorded a total of 15.44 million tons in April.
JPMorgan has forecast that if Israel attacks Iranian nuclear facilities and a full-scale war breaks out, the Strait of Hormuz could be blocked. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) warned that the expansion of military activity in the Middle East prior to the airstrikes could impact crew members and advised caution for navigation in the region.
Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, expressed his intent for revenge immediately after the airstrikes by stating, "They must be met with severe punishment. The strong hand of the Iranian military will not let this pass without retribution."
Currently, it is reported that there are no problems with navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. A member of the shipping industry stated, "Companies operating vessels navigating to the Middle East, as well as other logistics firms, are likely keeping a close watch on the situation," adding, "Although there are currently no issues with navigation, if an emergency occurs, swift measures will likely be taken to ensure crew safety."