This is a further update to our earlier blog: Navigating Global Shipping Risks: How the Iran-USA/Israel Conflict is Impacting UK Supply Chains. Since that blog was published, the situation at the Strait of Hormuz has developed significantly and UK businesses need to understand the latest position.
In our previous blog, we outlined how rising tensions between Iran and the USA and Israel were creating uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz and the impact this was having on UK supply chains. We explained the two difficult choices facing UK importers: rerouting around Africa or absorbing elevated war risk insurance premiums.
Since then, there has been a significant development. Iran has clarified its position on the Strait of Hormuz, and the update is important for any UK business involved in international freight.
Iran Confirms the Strait is Not Closed to All Nations
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has confirmed through Iranian state television that the Strait of Hormuz has not been fully closed. Instead, Iran has announced that only vessels with connections to the United States or Israel will be prohibited from passing through the strait.
Iran has simultaneously stated that the strait remains open to all other countries. In the words of the Iranian military announcement: vessels from nations not involved in or supporting the conflict will be permitted to transit freely.
This is a meaningful distinction. It means the strait is not subject to a blanket closure and that ships from neutral countries, including the United Kingdom, are not directly targeted by Iran’s restriction. However, as we explain below, the practical reality for UK shippers remains extremely challenging.
Why UK Shippers Are Still Affected
Even though Iran has not specifically targeted UK-flagged or UK-linked vessels, the broader disruption to commercial shipping in the region is creating serious problems for UK importers and exporters. There are several reasons for this.
War risk insurance has effectively collapsed for Gulf operations.
Major maritime insurers have cancelled or suspended cover for vessels operating in the Gulf region. Without valid war risk insurance, commercial shipping lines cannot legally operate their vessels in the area regardless of Iran’s stated position on neutral countries. This single factor has done more to halt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz than any direct military action.
The world’s largest container lines have paused Gulf operations.
Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM have all suspended vessel crossings through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice, citing crew safety and the inability to obtain adequate insurance cover. These four carriers collectively move the majority of global container trade, and their withdrawal from Gulf routing has created an immediate capacity crisis.
Vessels are trapped inside the Persian Gulf.
According to ship tracking platform MarineTraffic, tanker traffic through the strait has dropped by approximately 90 percent since the crisis escalated. An estimated 170 containerships carrying around 450,000 TEU of cargo are currently trapped inside the Persian Gulf, unable to exit through the strait. Hundreds more vessels are anchored in open Gulf waters or waiting in ports along the UAE and Oman coastlines.
Oil prices have surpassed $100 per barrel.
Crude oil prices exceeded $100 per barrel on 8 March 2026 for the first time in four years. Rising oil prices directly increase bunker fuel costs for shipping lines across all global trade routes, not just those passing through the Gulf. This means UK importers will face higher freight surcharges even on shipments that do not travel through the affected region.
How to Track Vessels and Monitor the Situation in Real Time
One of the most useful things UK importers can do right now is monitor vessel movements in real time so they can identify whether their expected shipments are moving normally, waiting at anchor, or stuck inside the Gulf.
MarineTraffic is the most widely used free ship tracking platform. It uses AIS (Automatic Identification System) data to show the live position of vessels worldwide. You can search by vessel name, shipping line, or port to see whether ships are moving, anchored, or waiting outside the Strait of Hormuz. As of early March 2026, MarineTraffic data shows over 150 tankers anchored in open Gulf waters outside the strait and around 500 ships waiting at ports along the UAE and Oman coastlines.
Kpler provides more detailed analysis of container shipping disruptions, including breakdowns of which vessels are trapped inside the Gulf, which are diverting around Africa, and which shipping lines are most affected. It is particularly useful for businesses importing from China or the Middle East who want to understand how individual carriers are responding to the crisis.
Both platforms provide publicly accessible data and are free to use at a basic level. NKR Freight monitors these platforms daily as part of our ongoing assessment of global shipping conditions.
The Dual Chokepoint Problem Facing UK Importers
What makes the current situation particularly difficult for UK businesses is that both of the two most important maritime chokepoints on the Asia to Europe trade lane are now simultaneously disrupted.
The Strait of Hormuz, as we have described above, is effectively shut to commercial traffic due to the conflict. The Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which was already disrupted by Houthi attacks on commercial vessels since late 2023, continues to present serious security risks. This means that carriers travelling between Asia and the UK have no maritime workaround available through the Middle East region.
Vessels are currently being rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa. This adds between 10 and 14 days to typical Asia to Europe transit times, increases fuel consumption significantly, and reduces overall capacity as ships spend longer at sea on each voyage.
For UK importers sourcing goods from China, the average sea freight transit time normally ranges between 30 and 40 days. The Africa diversion is currently extending this to between 40 and 55 days on many services, and some carriers are reporting even longer delays as port congestion builds at key transshipment hubs along the Africa routing.
Impact on China to UK Shipping
China remains the United Kingdom’s largest goods import partner, accounting for around 13 to 14 percent of total UK imports. The majority of these goods move via sea freight from major Chinese export ports including Shanghai, Ningbo and Shenzhen.
The combination of the Africa diversion and rising bunker fuel costs is already creating tangible consequences for the China to UK trade lane. Shipping lines have begun applying additional surcharges on top of base freight rates. Container equipment is becoming unevenly distributed as vessels take longer to complete each round trip. Booking availability on certain services has tightened as carriers adjust their schedules in response to the crisis.
The practical consequences for UK importers on the China to UK route currently include the following.
- Higher freight booking costs due to war risk and fuel surcharges
- Transit times extended by 2 to 4 weeks on many services
- Reduced schedule reliability as carriers adjust vessel rotations
- Container equipment shortages building at Shanghai and Ningbo export hubs
- Port congestion developing at key transshipment points along the Africa routing
What UK Businesses Should Do Now
The situation at the Strait of Hormuz is changing quickly and businesses that are waiting for conditions to return to normal before taking action are likely to face worse disruption than those who plan proactively.
There are several steps UK importers and exporters can take to protect their supply chains during this period.
Review your upcoming shipment schedules.
Identify which shipments are most time sensitive and whether extended transit times will create problems for your customers or operations. Use MarineTraffic to check the current position of vessels carrying your cargo.
Consider building buffer inventory.
With transit times extended by several weeks, businesses that operate on lean inventory models are most vulnerable. Increasing stock levels for critical product lines can provide protection against further delays.
Explore multimodal alternatives for urgent shipments.
For time-sensitive cargo where the extended sea freight timeline is not acceptable, air freight or combined air and road solutions may provide a viable alternative. NKR Freight can advise on the cost and transit time comparison for your specific requirements.
Speak to your logistics partner about current surcharge levels.
War risk and fuel surcharges are being updated frequently by shipping lines as the situation develops. Understanding the current cost picture will help you make accurate decisions about pricing, procurement and customer commitments.
How NKR Freight Can Help
At NKR Freight, we are monitoring vessel movements, carrier announcements and surcharge updates on a daily basis to ensure our clients are not caught off guard by sudden changes to schedules or costs.
Our team has experience managing freight during periods of significant geopolitical disruption, including the Red Sea crisis that began in late 2023. We understand how to build flexible routing solutions that protect supply chains when traditional lanes are unavailable or excessively costly.
Whether your cargo originates from China, the Middle East, South Asia or elsewhere, we can advise on the best available routing options, help you understand your current surcharge exposure, and identify multimodal alternatives where extended sea freight transit times are not workable.
In uncertain times, NKR Freight has your logistics covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Strait of Hormuz open to UK vessels?
Iran has stated that only vessels with links to the United States or Israel will be prohibited. UK-flagged or UK-linked ships are not directly targeted. However, the collapse of war risk insurance cover and the suspension of services by major container lines means that commercial shipping through the strait is effectively halted for all nations at present.
How can I track whether my shipment is affected?
You can use MarineTraffic (www.marinetraffic.com) to check the live position of vessels carrying your cargo. Kpler (www.kpler.com) provides additional analysis on container shipping disruptions. Both platforms offer free basic access. You can also contact your NKR Freight account manager for a direct update on your specific shipments.
How long will transit times be extended?
Currently, vessels rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope are adding between 10 and 14 days to standard Asia to Europe transit times. On the China to UK route, this means total transit times of between 40 and 55 days compared to the normal 30 to 40 days. This will remain the case for as long as the strait remains inaccessible to commercial shipping.
What surcharges should I expect on my shipments?
War risk surcharges ranging from $1,800 to $3,000 per container are currently being applied on Gulf-exposed routes. Rising crude oil prices are also driving increases in bunker fuel surcharges across all global shipping routes. Contact NKR Freight for the most up to date surcharge information on your specific trade lane.
What alternatives are available for urgent shipments?
Air freight and multimodal solutions combining air and road transport can provide faster alternatives for time-sensitive cargo. NKR Freight can provide a cost and transit time comparison between sea freight and air freight options based on your specific shipment requirements.
Sources: Iranian state television, MarineTraffic, Kpler Container Intelligence, Lloyd’s List, CNBC, Al Jazeera, NBC News, Iran International. March 2026.