🇺🇸🇮🇷 The US-Iran war is disrupting global supply chains.
Since February 28, these ports have been attacked and closed or severely disrupted:
Strait of Hormuz: Partially closed after at least four commercial tankers were hit by missiles, drones, or explosive boats within 36 hours, causing fires, explosions, and one seafarer death. Over 150 ships are anchored outside, avoiding entry.
Duqm Port (Oman): Hit by Iranian drones multiple times since March 1, including a fuel tank strike on March 3 that caused a fire. Operations disrupted but not fully closed.
Salalah Port (Oman): Drone strike on March 3; no casualties, but fuel infrastructure damaged.
Jebel Ali Port (Dubai, UAE): Hit by debris from intercepted Iranian missiles on March 1, sparking a fire. DP World temporarily suspended operations.
Fujairah Port (UAE): Fire broke out at an oil facility on March 3 due to intercepted drone debris.
Ras Laffan: The world’s largest LNG plant, supplying ~20% of global LNG, shut down following Iranian attacks on the complex.
Mina Salman Port (Bahrain): Targeted on March 1 and 2; falling missile debris caused a fire on a foreign ship and killed a dockworker.
Ras Tanura Refinery/Port (Saudi Arabia): Drone attack on March 2 shut down the 550,000 b/d facility, halting exports.
Iranian Ports (Chabahar and Bandar Abbas): US-Israeli strikes since February 28 damaged naval facilities, sank warships (e.g., Alvand-class frigate, Jamaran-class corvette), and disrupted operations.
Consequences:
Global crude oil prices surged 20%-30% in days, with Brent crude hitting record highs due to halted exports.
Shipping companies like CMA CGM and Maersk suspended bookings to Gulf ports and rerouted via longer routes, adding 10-14 days to Asia-Europe voyages.
War-risk insurance premiums jumped from 0.2% to 1% of ship value, adding up to $1 million per voyage for a standard tanker.