The expert assessed the impact of the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz on cargo transportation

Mikhail Dyakonov, founder and CEO of the Freit Logistics Group logistics company, assessed the impact of the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz on global cargo transportation.

In conversation with Lenta.Ru On Friday, March 6, the expert said that as a result of the conflict in the Middle East, the ports of the Persian Gulf, including one of the world's largest transit hubs Jabal Ali in the UAE, were effectively cut off from world trade.

The expert recalled that up to 20% of the world's oil trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz, as well as significant volumes of chemical products, fertilizers and other cargo. Due to the confined waters of the Persian Gulf, there are no alternative routes other than this Strait.

According to Dyakonov, the vessels heading to the ports of the region or already located there are now awaiting further developments: some remain in ports, others keep a safe distance.

He added that the escalation affected other routes, including the route through the Red Sea. Carriers have introduced freight surcharges ranging from $1,500 to $4,000 per container, which makes shipping more expensive and less efficient. This is likely to affect exports from China to Russian ports, as some of the cargo may be transferred to the railway or shipped through the ports of the Far East and then transported across Russia.

To sail or not to sail: what means does Iran have to blockade the Strait of Hormuz

The loss of the fleet will not be critical for Tehran, experts believe.

Earlier, on March 6, the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) reported that due to the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was almost completely stopped. The number of passing vessels has decreased to single values. Over the past 24 hours, the movement of only two commercial vessels has been confirmed, while both vessels were cargo, RT clarifies. None of them transported oil, according to Regnum news agency.

The Reuters news agency reported on the same day that China was negotiating with Iran on the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz carrying oil and Qatari liquefied natural gas. China expresses dissatisfaction with the fact that Iran's actions are paralyzing the movement of ships in a strategically important region, the website reports. kp.ru .

Analyst Egor Obedkov expressed the opinion that the leading importers of oil from the region have some reserves, but whether it will be enough depends on the duration of the conflict. If the fighting drags on for two weeks or more, shortages will begin, he notes. 360.ru .

Also on March 6, it became known that about 10 thousand cars intended for buyers from Russia were stuck in Iran and the countries of the Strait of Hormuz. This is due to the fact that cargo ports are not functioning, and ships are not being loaded due to the situation around Iran, NSN notes.

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