The war is not over yet, shipping companies are not convinced by American offers to protect their cargo and are halting operations in the war zone

 

“Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Wednesday that it controls the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil and gas shipping route, and that any ships in the waterway are at risk of damage from missiles or stray drones.

 

“Currently, the Strait of Hormuz is under the full control of the Islamic Republic’s Navy,” Mohammad Akbarzadeh, a naval officer with the Guards, said in a statement carried by the Fars news agency.

 

Donald Trump, the US President, said on Tuesday that the United States Navy is ready to escort oil tankers through this vital shipping route in the Persian Gulf.

 

MSC Redirects Cargo

 

The world’s largest container shipping company MSC announced on Tuesday that all cargo destined for Gulf ports is being diverted to the nearest safe port for discharge due to the war in the Middle East.

 

“In light of the current situation in the Middle East, MSC regrets to announce that it has been forced to announce the end of all cargo currently under MSC’s custody and care, whether onshore or offshore,” the company said in a statement to customers with cargo destined for the Persian Gulf. “All cargo currently in transit will be diverted to the nearest safe port of discharge. The cargo will be discharged there, allowing customers to arrange for local delivery and collection at their own discretion.”

 

The Geneva-based company said customers would have to book new transport services if they wanted their cargo to be delivered to the new destination. It also said that all affected cargoes would be subject to a mandatory surcharge of $800 per container. MSC said it was necessary to cover the costs of the diversion.

 

VŽ wrote that other major shipping companies had also applied a similar fee.

 

“MSC sincerely regrets this decision, which was made due to exceptional circumstances beyond its control,” the statement said.

 

On Sunday, MSC said it had ordered its ships in the Persian Gulf to sail to a safe haven and suspended all orders to the Middle East.”