Shipping companies urgently change course to avoid Middle East warfare.

Due to the impact of the US and Israel's strikes on Iran and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, shipping companies such as Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, and CMA CGM are arranging for ships to bypass Africa, avoiding the Suez Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Maersk, the Danish container shipping group, issued a statement on Sunday saying, "Due to the escalation of military conflict leading to deteriorating security conditions in the Middle East, we have decided to temporarily suspend future transits through the Suez Canal across the Bab el-Mandeb Strait." Maersk stated, "Once the situation stabilizes and conditions permit, we will continue to prioritize the Suez Canal route service," with affected services including the Middle East-India to Mediterranean route and the Middle East-India to US East Coast route. German shipping group Hapag-Lloyd also issued a statement, redirecting the IMX container shipping route connecting India, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean to the waters near South Africa, but priority will be given to restoring this route once the security situation allows for transit. Hapag-Lloyd announced the imposition of a war risk surcharge on goods to and from the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Gulf, and the Gulf of Oman starting from March 2. French shipping group CMA CGM also announced on Sunday a surcharge for emergency conflict on goods to and from Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Yemen, Qatar, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Djibouti, Sudan, Eritrea, and the Port of Aqaba in the Red Sea. Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd stated that all ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz will be suspended until further notice. Iran warned on Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz, which carries approximately one-fifth of global oil consumption, has been blocked. The Mediterranean shipping company announced on Sunday the suspension of all Middle East cargo bookings until further notice. MSC has instructed all vessels in the Persian Gulf region or heading towards the region to proceed to safe havens until further notice. MSC stated that once the security situation improves, reservation services will be immediately restored. CMA CGM stated on Saturday that its ships in the Gulf region or heading towards the region are to proceed to safe havens. The company announced the suspension of the Suez Canal route, with ships rerouted through the Cape of Good Hope route.