Germany’s largest container shipping company Hapag-Lloyd currently sees no option to route its merchant ships stuck in the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz. There is currently no possibility of passage and we are waiting for an opportunity, said CEO Rolf Habben Jansen. He did not give any further details. According to previous company information, six of the shipping company’s merchant ships were stuck in the Gulf.
Jansen said the Iran war was causing additional costs of around $50 million (around 42.8 million euros) each week. He justified this with increased fuel prices. Hapag-Lloyd charges customers surcharges due to the additional costs. There is “good acceptance” from customers for the surcharges, said Jansen.
In March it was announced that the Hapag-Lloyd container ship ‘Source Blessing’, which was in the Gulf, was hit by shrapnel. A fire broke out, which the crew extinguished.
The Strait of Hormuz is not navigable without danger because Iran is threatening free navigation in the strait south of Iran. Traffic has therefore largely come to a standstill. According to experts, Iran’s actions violate international maritime law.
On Wednesday it became known that Iran’s armed forces said they had attacked three cargo ships off their coast and rendered them unable to maneuver. Two ships were confiscated. Among them was the ship ‘MSC Francesca’ belonging to the Swiss container shipping company Mediterranean Shipping Company.