News / Iran box ships among those trapped in the Gulf

Photo: Dreamstime.com

Iranian box ships are struggling to find safe passage in and out of the Strait of Hormuz following the country’s decision to close the waterway in response to the Israeli and US strikes that have been pounding the country for the past four days.

Since the onset of hostilities, some 147 vessels have been forced to idle in the Gulf, according to Xeneta AIS data, with six sat just outside the Strait of Hormuz.

Senior market analyst at Xeneta Destine Ozuygur noted that 10 of the affected vessels were Iranian-owned or operated, and have taken harbour in Iran, three at Bandar Abbas, including the 6,572 teu Behta.

“It’s clear indication Iran-linked shipments are equally unable to secure safe transport or insurance coverage either to move within or to exit the Persian Gulf,” she said.

“The Behta is notably operated by Tehran’s Hafez Darya Arya Shipping and deployed on its China-Iran service that’s been operating since 2020. It’s the company’s only non-feeder string and Iran’s single artery for direct trade with China.”

Of the 750 vessels believed to be trapped in the Gulf, around 20% are box ships – but the number equates to about 10% of the global containership fleet.

As Ms Ozuygur pointed out, part of the problem for operators is their ability to secure insurers willing to provide cover in a dramatically deteriorating situation.

Iran has retaliated against the US/Israeli offensive by striking targets across the Gulf, with box terminals in Oman and the UAE affected.

The UK Maritime Trade Organisation (UKMTO) was sharing Bahrain-based Joint Maritime Information Center decision to upgrade the threat level faced by commercial shipping to “critical”, the highest rating.

“The operational environment reflects active kinetic hazard conditions in this area,” the JMIC said.

“Confirmed missile and drone attacks against multiple commercial vessels within the Gulf of Oman, Musandam approaches and UAE coastal waters have shifted the regional maritime security posture from severe to critical.”