Two weeks after the first container ship sinking of the war, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is still running at a fraction of normal levels, and maritime security agencies warn that many attacks are going unreported.
The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations center (UKMTO) reported that 101 vessels transited the strait between October 22 and 24, compared with an average of about 138 a day in 2025, and that congestion continues at anchorages across the region. Container ships became targets on October 14, when the container ship GFS Pride sank off Oman with more than 2,500 containers on board.
Attacks on shipping have continued since. On October 26, UKMTO issued a delayed report of a tanker struck in the strait three days earlier. The agency has said it is struggling to give an accurate count because most attacked vessels are not reporting incidents, and Iran has continued to expand its blacklist of vessels it claims have broken its rules in the strait.
Craig Reilly of IAM member DASA International Movers said DASA’s planning has not changed since the sinking “because none of it assumed the strait: gateway outside, overland to your door, tracking on or it doesn’t carry our cargo.” His advice to members: “If your forwarder quoted you a direct Gulf call this week, ask which ship. Then ask again on Friday.”
IAM Member Impact: Members should keep routing Gulf-bound household goods and consolidated shipments through gateway ports outside the strait, such as Fujairah, Khor Fakkan, Sohar, or Saudi Red Sea ports, and complete delivery overland.
Source: Gulf News; Seatrade Maritime
Member Contributions: Craig Reilly, DASA