Global supply chains were thrown into turmoil on March 2 as conflict between the United States and Iran forced shipping lines and airlines to suspend routes, reroute vessels, and impose emergency surcharges across the Middle East. Traffic slowed sharply through the Strait of Hormuz, where around 150 crude oil and liquefied natural gas tankers were reported anchored outside the chokepoint, while additional vessels clustered near regional coastlines amid heightened naval activity and security concerns.

Major container carriers halted new bookings and diverted ships around the Cape of Good Hope, lengthening transit times between Asia and Europe and increasing fuel consumption. Several operators introduced steep war risk and emergency conflict surcharges on cargo moving to and from Gulf and Red Sea countries, raising costs for standard and refrigerated containers. Marine insurers also moved to cancel war risk coverage in Iranian waters, adding further uncertainty and pricing volatility.

Air freight networks were similarly disrupted as airspace closures and flight cancellations reduced cargo capacity through key Gulf hubs. Logistics providers suspended services in multiple countries, affecting time-sensitive shipments such as pharmaceuticals and electronics. With energy exports and just-in-time supply chains particularly exposed, the scale and duration of the conflict will determine whether the disruption remains temporary or reshapes regional trade routes for the longer term.