Strait of Hormuz impasse disrupting world shippingThe conflict has upended shipping in the region, with the Strait of Hormuz a vital maritime route. -The strait is especially key to the world energy markets, with around 20 percent of global seaborne oil passing through. That said, analysts believe that cutting off access, as Iran has threatened to do, will not affect the major Asia-Europe shipping route, with the Gulf ending in a cul-de-sac by the shores of Kuwait, Iraq and Iran. -The Strait of Hormuz has always been open for business. On the Marine Traffic map, which tracks world shipping movements, you can make out clusters of ships, mainly tankers, anchored far to the north near Kuwait, as well as off the coast near Dubai.

Source: Bangkok Post March 03, 2026 04:03 UTC