6 March 2026
Iran conflict
Impact on shipping
Following US and Israel strikes on Iran on 28 February 2026, Iran retaliated with strikes across the Middle East. This has caused significant disruption to cargo availability, production, transport and commercial shipping operating in or transiting the Persian/Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
On 2 March 2026, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the Strait of Hormuz as closed, stating: The strait is closed. If anyone tries to pass, the heroes of the Revolutionary Guard and the regular navy will set those ships ablaze.
Merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz have been attacked, with tragic fatalities and injuries to seafarers, as well as damage to vessels and cargo. Although the Strait is not legally closed, many vessels are now stranded in the Persian/Arabian Gulf.
Vessels operating in the region are urged to carry out thorough risk assessments, monitor all relevant advisories closely and remain vigilant in line with the latest BMP Maritime Security guidelines.
Alongside physical safety, crew mental health and welfare should also be prioritised to ensure support, briefings and rest. Download the ISWAN guide for crew and families Coping with Conflict here.
There are also reports of jamming and spoofing that may affect electronic navigation, so vessels should remain highly alert and navigate with caution.
Access the latest MSCIO Maritime Security Notice from EU Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Atalanta here.
Joint Maritime Information Centre update on regional tension impact on maritime security - JMIC Advisory Note 02 June 2026 here
UKMTO daily summary of incidents 10 May 2026 - click here.
01/6/2026 - UKMTO warning - click here
UKMTO has received a report of an incident within the Strait of Hormuz.
A verified source reported a cargo vessel has been struck by an unknown projectile. Environmental impact is unknown at the time of the report.
Vessels are advised to report any suspicious activity to UKMTO while authorities investigate.
30/4/2026 - UKMTO warning - click here
UKMTO has received a report of an incident in the IRTC, 92 nautical miles southwest of Al Mukalla, Yemen. The master of a bulk carrier reported being approached by a skiff with a black hull carrying seven armed persons. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO while authorities continue to investigate.
26/4/2026 - UKMTO warning - click here
UKMTO has received a report of an incident 6 nautical miles north east of Garacad, Somalia. It has been reported that unauthorised persons have taken control of a cargo vessel which has been re-directed to within territorial waters. Due to the increased threat of possible PAG activity, vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO while authorities investigate.
23/4/2026 - UKMTO warning - click here
UKMTO has received a report of an incident 83 nautical miles southeast of Eyl, Somalia. The master of a cargo ship was approached by 2 small craft with armed persons onboard. One small craft approached within 600 metres, warning shots were fired and the suspicious craft returned fire. The suspicious small craft moved away and made clear of the reporting cargo ship. All crew are safe and accounted for. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO; authorities are investigating.
22/4/2026 - UKMTO warning - click here
A master of an outbound cargo ship reports having been fired upon and is now stopped in the water. Crew are safe and accounted for. There is no reported damage to the vessel. UKMTO is aware of high levels of activity in the Strait of Hormuz area and encourages vessels to report any suspicious activity.
22/4/2026 - UKMTO warning - click here
UKMTO has received a report of an incident 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman. The master of a container ship reported that the vessel was approached by one IRGC gun boat, with no VHF challenge, and then fired upon. The vessel suffered heavy damage to the bridge. No fires or environmental impact were reported. All crew were reported safe.
18/4/2026 - UKMTO warning - click here
UKMTO has received a report of an incident 3 nautical miles east of Oman. The master of a cruise ship reported sighting a splash in close proximity to the vessel.
14/4/2026 - UKMTO warning - click here
UKMTO has received a report of an incident on 07 Apr 26, 112 nautical miles southeast of Ras Al Hadd, Oman. The master of a bulk carrier reported to authorities that his vessel was struck by two unidentified projectiles, resulting in a fire on board. A Pakistan naval vessel rendered assistance and the incident is now reported complete. This UKMTO warning complements JMICC Pakistan Alert 94/26.
12/4/2026 - UKMTO warning - click here
UKMTO has received a report of an incident 54 nautical miles southwest of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. A sailing vessel was approached by a skiff with approximately 10-12 people on board, 4-5 of whom were armed with automatic weapons. The crew requested that the sailing vessel stopped and when the master refused they attempted to pull the skiff alongside to board. The master deployed a flare and the skiff turned away and departed to the southeast. Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.
07/4/2026 - UKMTO warning - click here
UKMTO has received a time late report of an incident 25 nautical miles south of Kish Island, Iran. The container vessel was struck by an unknown projectile which caused damage above the waterline. The crew are safe and accounted for. No environmental impact has been reported. Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.
01/4/2026 - UKMTO warning - click here
UKMTO has received a report of an incident 17 nautical miles north of Ras Laffan, Qatar. The Company Security Officer reported the tanker had been hit by an unknown projectile on the port side, causing damage to the hull above the waterline. The crew were reported safe.
Update 001: UKMTO can confirm the vessel was struck by two projectiles. One caused a fire which has since been extinguished. The other remains unexploded within the vessel's engine room and is being investigated by the relevant authorities. UKMTO is unable to confirm the source of the projectiles and continues to investigate. There is no environmental impact. Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.
31/3/2026 - UKMTO warning update - click here
UKMTO has received a report of an incident 31 nautical miles northwest of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Company Security Officer reported an unknown projectile had struck the tanker on the starboard side, causing a fire on the vessel. The crew are accounted for and safe. No environmental impact has been reported.
Update 001: The CSO has confirmed the fire is extinguished, and there are no environmental implications resulting from the strike. UKMTO is unable to determine the source of the projectile and continues to investigate.
29/3/2026 - UKMTO suspicious activity - click here
UKMTO has received a report of an incident 22 nautical miles north east of Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia. The CSO of the container vessel reported 2 unknown projectiles splashing in close proximity, each occurring within 1 hour of each other. The crew are reported as safe. Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.
& see below for links to other sources of information, including shipping relevant news from other countries.
While monitoring the dynamic situation, London P&I's international commercial and legal teams are assessing exposures and making contingency plans. We are seeing questions about entitlement to give or refuse voyage orders, discharge at alternative ports, obligations to take an alternative route, or termination of a contract. These issues will depend on the specific wording of the contract, including war risks clauses, off-hire provisions, safe ports and safe berths warranties, and any force majeure or termination clauses.
Our claims teams are on standby to advise Members and Assureds, so we can help you anticipate and minimise operational and commercial impact where possible.
Please get in touch with your usual Claims contact for assistance.
Insurance implications
War risks AP areas have been updated to include Persian/Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden and Southern Red Sea waters, as set out in the Club's Circular of 5 March 2026.
War risks cover has been cancelled for Fixed Premium and Charterers business as set out in the Club's Circular of 1 March 2026 in relation to:
Iran and Iranian waters, including coastal waters up to 12 nautical miles offshore
Persian/Arabian Gulf and adjacent waters, including the Gulf of Oman and waters west of the line from Oman's territorial limit off Cape al-Ḥadd at 22°42.5'N, 59°54.5'E northeast to the Iran-Pakistan border at 25°10.5'N, 61°37.5'E
Coverage may be reinstated on terms to be agreed.
Deviation - liabilities may arise due to deviation from the contractually agreed voyage. Additional cover for deviation is available with advance notice.
Please reach out to your usual contact in Underwriting for further details.
Correspondent update
From Mutual Marine Services Al Mushtaraka Ltd:
02/06/2026 - Sitrep 72.
The current situation in the Middle East appears to have de-escalated, we provide this update obtained from various sources:
Strait of Hormuz - the current situation in the Strait remains quiet. Still very little traffic movement. Although ships are passing the strait under escort, it is not officially open.
Port Situation:
UAE - all ports working.
Oman - all ports working.
Qatar - all ports working.
Kuwait - all ports working.
Iraq - all ports working.
Bahrain, commercial port working.
Saudi Arabia, all ports on the Arabian Gulf side are operational.
All Red Sea Ports are operating normally/working, but very busy, handling cargo that cannot be discharged in the Arabian Gulf.
Sudan - all ports working.
30/3/2026 - Attached circular for extending the exemption period for empty containers.
27/3/2026 - The following directives were issued by the Saudi Minister of Transport:
Trucks designated for transporting goods and refrigerated materials from all GCC countries will be allowed to enter empty to transport goods destined for other GCC countries.
The Gulf Storage and Redistribution Zones Initiative was launched to regulate container traffic and allocate operational zones for each GCC country within King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam.
Storage fees were exempted for up to 60 days for Gulf imports and exports.
Saudi Ports Authority, Mawani, announced a maritime connection with Bahrain within the Gulf Shuttle shipping service, operating through King Abdulaziz Port, Dammam, with a capacity of up to 3,000 standard containers.
24/3/2026 - This circular was issued by the Public Transport Authority in respect of a temporary suspension for renewal of certificates etc.
Jeddah 13/3/2026 - Minister of Transport and Logistics Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser launched the Logistics Corridors Program at Jeddah Islamic Port. The program aimed to ensure the stability of trade routes within regional and global markets.
It includes providing additional operational corridors for receiving containers and goods diverted from the Kingdom's eastern ports as well as from the ports of other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
During the tour, he noted that handling operations and supply chain activities are operating with high regularity and efficiency to receive containers and goods smoothly and reliably. The minister said Saudi Arabia has extensive experience in crisis management and dealing with geopolitical developments, enabling it to maintain the stability of trade and supply chains in the region.
Al-Jasser said Saudi Arabia has activated alternative logistics corridors and responded swiftly to the current changes, noting the operational flexibility in movement between ports in the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea to ensure the smooth flow of trade.
He said Saudi Arabia has significant capacity in its Red Sea ports, which can handle more than 17 million containers annually, and that these ports play a pivotal role in receiving containers diverted from the Gulf countries.
He also noted that the government has worked to connect Red Sea ports to logistics routes extending to the Gulf countries, enhancing Saudi Arabia's ability to be a regional hub for transhipment and trade facilitation. He confirmed that work has been intensified at the ports on the western coast of Saudi Arabia to increase readiness, and that Saudi airports are open to aircraft from neighbouring countries, supporting transport and trade in the region.
The relevant Saudi authorities are working to provide secure corridors for local, regional and international trade, particularly for Gulf goods passing through Saudi ports, in view of the current regional escalation.
Other country shipping links
US - sanctions relating to Russia. The US Department of Treasury has issued general licences allowing sale and delivery of oil and petroleum products of Russian origin specifically as set out in the licence:
Russia-related General Licence 133 - authorising the delivery and sale of crude oil and petroleum products of Russian Federation origin loaded on vessels as of 5 March 2026 to India (5 March 2026)
Russia-related General Licence 134 - authorising the delivery and sale of crude oil and petroleum products of Russian Federation origin loaded on vessels as of 12 March 2026 (12 March 2026)
UK - on 19 March 2026, the General Licence INT/2026/9247168 was issued which allows activity in relation to the supply, purchase, transportation or delivery of Kazakh Oil.
External links