Security in the Strait of Hormuz has deteriorated amid US‑Israel‑Iran fighting,
prompting Danish shipping giant Maersk to suspend vessel transits and activate
contingency plans, including land routing of cargo. Maersk’s chief commercial
officer Carsten Kildahl said the measures protect crew but are creating severe
economic pressure: direct Gulf trades and other routes face higher costs from
rerouting and rising fuel, with incremental expenses already exceeding
$500m/month. The group cannot absorb the full burden and will pass some costs to
customers, many of whom are also facing higher raw‑material prices. Industry
contacts say higher transport and production costs may feed through to consumer
prices.
