Chinese shipping major COSCO Shipping Lines has instructed its vessels operating in or bound for the Gulf region to seek “safe waters” amid escalating tensions following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent move to close the Strait of Hormuz.
The Shanghai-based, state-owned carrier said ships that have already entered the Gulf have been directed to complete operations where safely possible before proceeding to secure waters to hover or anchor. Vessels en route to the region have been advised to prioritise navigational safety, including reducing speed, diverting to sheltered anchorages, or awaiting further instructions.
The advisory follows a declaration by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz — a key artery for global oil and container traffic — has been closed. The development has triggered immediate operational suspensions by several major global carriers.
In its statement, COSCO said it is actively evaluating contingency plans for cargo on affected vessels, including exploring alternative discharge ports to mitigate disruptions.
Other leading container lines, including Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), have also announced a halt to operations in the region, underscoring the mounting uncertainty in one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.
Meanwhile, regional security concerns have intensified. State media in Oman reported that an oil tanker off its coast was targeted on Sunday, injuring four crew members. On the same day, UK maritime authorities said a vessel near the coast of the United Arab Emirates, close to the strait, was struck by an “unknown projectile” that caused a fire onboard.
The situation has raised fresh alarms across global shipping and energy markets, as any prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz — through which a significant share of the world’s crude exports pass — could have far-reaching implications for freight rates, supply chains, and energy prices.