Iran Conflict

6 March 2026

Impact on Shipping

Following US and Israel strikes on Iran on 28 February 2026, Iran retaliated by striking targets across the Middle East, resulting in significant disruption to cargo availability, production, transportation and commercial shipping operating in and/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”: “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 conduct thorough risk assessments, maintain enhanced monitoring of all relevant advisories, and maintain vigilance in line with the latest BMP Maritime Security guidelines. As well as physical safety, mental health and welfare of the crew should also be prioritised to ensure support, briefings and rest - download the ISWAN Guide for crew & families Coping with Conflict here. There are reports of jamming and spoofing potentially impacting electronic navigation, so vessels should maintain heightened vigilance and preparedness, 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 26_MAR_2026 here.

UKMTO daily summary of incidents 26 March 2026 - click here

& see below for links to other sources of information, including shipping relevant news from other countries.

Whilst monitoring the dynamic situation, international commercial and legal teams are assessing exposures and making contingency plans. The Club has seen questions ranging from entitlement to give/refuse voyage orders, discharge at an alternative ports, obligation to take an alternative route or terminate a contract, all of which will depend on the specific wording of the contract - relevant war risks clauses, off-hire provisions, safe ports/berths warranties, as well as specific force majeure and/or termination clauses. Our claims teams are on standby to advise Members and Assureds, to enable you to anticipate and minimise the 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 per the Club’s Circular of 5 March 2026.

War risks cover cancelled in respect of Fixed Premium and Charterers business as per 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 at 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:

26/03/2026 - Sitrep 26.

"The current situation in the Middle East remains extremely tense, we provide this update obtained from various sources:

Strait of Hormuz - Remains closed. Reports of passage being permitted for certain flagged ships.

Any owners operating and trading within the Arabian Gulf would be advised to check with their H&M underwriters, and P&I Club, with regard to war risk cover.

Port Situation

UAE - all ports working.

[9/3/2026 - The Government of Dubai has issued this Notice (03/2026) in respect of temporary Customs arrangements.

7/3/2026 - Abu Dhabi Ports has issued this circular in respect of temporary import arrangements.]

Oman - all ports working.

Qatar - all ports working.

Iraq - all ports working.

Bahrain - suspended operations.

Kuwait - all ports working

Saudi Arabia - all ports on the Arabian Gulf side are operational. Red Sea Ports are still operating normally/working.

Saudi Ports Authority, (Mawani) announces 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 the 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 (GCC) countries.
The program launching was held during the minister's inspection of the handling operations and supply chain activities at the port. During the tour, he noted that the handling operations and supply chain activities are operating with high regularity and efficiency to receive containers and goods smoothly and reliably. The minister stressed that Saudi Arabia possesses 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 that 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. “Saudi Arabia possesses significant capacity in its Red Sea ports, which can handle more than 17 million containers annually, and these ports play a pivotal role in receiving containers diverted from the Gulf countries,” he said.
Al-Jasser pointed out 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 also confirmed that work has been intensified at the ports on the western coast of Saudi Arabia to increase their readiness. The minister also noted that Saudi airports are open to aircraft from neighboring countries, thus 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.]"