Hundreds of Tankers Jam Gulf Waters as War Escalates

Maritime disruptions widened sharply on Sunday as at least 150 oil and liquefied natural gas tankers halted in open waters of the Gulf, waiting outside the Strait of Hormuz amid intensifying military confrontation following US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

The bottleneck threatens to ripple across global energy supply chains, driving up shipping costs and marine insurance premiums while raising fears of broader supply interruptions.

Shipping estimates based on vessel-tracking data from MarineTraffic show crude oil and LNG carriers idling off the coasts of major producers including Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Dozens more vessels have reportedly paused on the opposite side of the strait.

The congestion coincides with a decision by OPEC+ to raise oil output by 206,000 barrels per day starting in April, a modest increase that may do little to offset potential disruptions if maritime security deteriorates further.

In parallel, the UK Maritime Trade Operations authority reported that a vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile roughly 50 nautical miles north of Muscat, triggering a fire in the engine room that was later contained. A similar incident was reported earlier near the Omani port of Kumzar in Hormuz.

Another vessel was reportedly hit 17 nautical miles northwest of Saqr Port in Ras Al Khaimah, where a projectile sparked a fire that was subsequently extinguished. The ship continued its voyage.

Iranian state television also reported that an oil tanker sank after attempting to transit Hormuz, though no further details were provided.

The world’s largest container shipping company, Maersk, announced it has suspended sailings through the Suez Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb “for the time being,” diverting key routes around the Cape of Good Hope, a move that significantly extends transit times and raises operating costs.

The Strait of Hormuz remains the world’s most critical oil transit artery, linking Gulf producers, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, to global markets via the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea.

A substantial share of global crude oil and LNG exports to Asia and Europe passes through the narrow waterway. Tehran has previously threatened to close the strait in response to military action, amplifying concerns that the conflict could escalate into a full-scale energy crisis.

The sudden halt of such a large number of tankers places immediate strain on supply chains and elevates freight and insurance costs. Energy traders are closely watching whether the stoppage proves a temporary precaution or the beginning of a prolonged disruption to flows.