Maersk Maintains Gulf Cargo Restrictions and Surcharges Despite Strait of Hormuz Reopening

Impact verdict

High impact. Loss pathway: a named top-3 global ocean carrier is keeping cargo restrictions and emergency surcharges across the Persian Gulf basin despite an announced Strait of Hormuz reopening; a second top carrier has adopted a wait-and-see posture; and reporting references up to ~500 vessels stranded in the wider area. Evidence: Maersk restrictions and surcharges; Hapag-Lloyd wait-and-see stance; industry characterisation of confidence collapse and stranded tonnage; Strait of Hormuz classified as JWC-listed high-war-risk transit zone. Limits: no quantified insured loss estimate, no confirmed hostile incident against a transiting vessel, and no firm duration for restrictions. Pattern is consistent with material commercial shipping disruption in a JWC-listed high-war-risk zone, directly relevant to marine cargo, marine hull, war risk underwriters, and London Market reinsurance pricing.