Container Lines Withdraw from Middle East Gulf Amid Tensions

Major container lines have withdrawn most of their vessels from the Middle East Gulf after the partial reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in June, reports London's Lloyd's List.

Alphaliner data shows that 80 containerships with a combined capacity of about 170,000 TEU remain in the Gulf, including 24 operated by leading carriers. This compares with 138 vessels totaling 470,000 TEU recorded in early March.

Since June 18, 16 containerships have departed following International Maritime Organization intervention, though these arrangements proved short-lived. Carriers have continued services by reconfiguring networks, utilizing land transport, and employing intra-Gulf feeder services.

Mediterranean Shipping Co still has eight containerships in the Gulf, including the 11,312 TEU MSC Francesca and the 6,690 TEU Epaminondas, both of which were seized by Iran in April. Several MSC vessels remain on feeder services that do not require Hormuz transits.

German carrier Hapag-Lloyd has withdrawn all its ships, including the 10,100 TEU Haiphong Express. Maersk still has five vessels, among them the US-flagged 2,096 TEU Maersk Yorktown, with three employed on feeder operations.

South Korea's HMM removed its 15,300 TEU HMM Daon on June 23, while Taiwan's Yang Ming extracted the 2,940 TEU YM Credibility on the same day. CMA CGM continues to operate six ships, including the 15,000 TEU CMA CGM Everglade.

Evergreen and Wan Hai Lines evacuated their remaining vessels in late June, with Evergreen's Ever Lovely having been struck by a projectile but continuing its voyage. Ocean Network Express still has one vessel, the 6,724 TEU One Majesty, which remains stationary after sustaining damage in March.

Despite the reduced numbers of large containerships, carriers maintain regional services through revised operating models, underscoring the Gulf's strategic importance despite ongoing security risks.