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The Strait of Hormuz is closed.
We are watching everything.
Stop Live Exports is monitoring the unfolding crisis in real time — tracking military developments, vessel movements, shipping industry responses, Australian government actions, and DAFF regulatory decisions. Every update is sourced and linked.
Hormuz: Near-zero traffic
War Insurance: Cancelled
Safeen Prestige: Struck & abandoned
~140 ships: Trapped in Gulf
MV Al Kuwait: At Fremantle
Export Permit: Still active
Aust. Govt Response: Awaited
As of 4 March 2026
70,000
potential animals stranded at sea
on live export vessels
on live export vessels
Latest updates — newest first · Last updated: 7 March 2026, 10:00 AM AWST
Day 7: Trump demands Iran's "unconditional surrender" — Tehran rejects any ceasefire or negotiations — no end in sight
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC Nightly News that Iran is "not asking for a ceasefire" and sees no reason to negotiate, stating the country had been attacked mid-negotiations twice before. Trump responded by posting that there would be "no deal" without Iran's unconditional surrender. Overnight, airstrikes continued across Tehran and Beirut. The IDF announced it had destroyed Khamenei's bunker beneath his compound. Trump separately told lawmakers a US ground invasion would be a "waste of time." With both sides hardening positions, Hormuz shipping paralysis looks set to continue for weeks.
JMIC confirms only 2 ships transited Hormuz in 24 hours — down from average 138/day — neither were oil tankers
The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) — the multinational naval advisory group covering the Middle East — confirmed that only two commercial vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz in the 24-hour period to Thursday 5 March, down from a pre-crisis daily average of 138 ships. Neither vessel was an oil tanker. JMIC classified the regional maritime risk environment as "critical" extending over the next 48 hours, with "no confirmed indicators of de-escalation." Trump's naval escort pledge and DFC insurance offer have had no measurable effect on traffic. The US Navy has previously told shipping industry leaders it lacks the capacity to provide Hormuz escorts.
Maersk suspends two more major services — Far East–Middle East and Middle East–Europe routes both halted — 147 boxships stranded in Gulf
Maersk announced on 6 March the suspension of its FM1 service (Far East to Middle East) and ME11 service (Middle East to Europe), its local Gulf shuttle services, and the dropping of Jebel Ali from its ME1 Northern Europe service. Xeneta confirmed 147 container ships remain trapped inside the Persian Gulf. Maersk called the moves "precautionary" to ensure crew safety. Analysts at Drewry warned of significant backlogs forming at ports outside the conflict zone as vessels cluster and arrive unplanned, with equipment shortages and rising spot rates expected globally across major trade lanes.
Mojtaba Khamenei reportedly elected Iran's new Supreme Leader under IRGC pressure — hardline succession signals continued Hormuz closure
Iran International, citing sources with knowledge of Assembly of Experts proceedings, reports that Mojtaba Khamenei — the 55-year-old son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — has been elected as Iran's next Supreme Leader, under significant pressure from IRGC commanders. The decision has not been formally announced publicly, pending burial of his father. Analysts warn his elevation signals continuation of hardline policy: Mojtaba has no public record of conciliation and carries the personal grievance of his father's assassination, making any negotiated Hormuz reopening less likely in the near term. An interim three-person leadership council remains in place.
US petrol prices surge 22 cents in one week as Hormuz shutdown ripples through global supply chains — COSCO and Emirates SkyCargo also halted
As the Hormuz crisis entered its sixth day, the full supply chain impact began to crystallise. US average petrol prices hit $3.19/gallon — up 22 cents in a week — as US crude neared $80/barrel. Major shipping and logistics companies including Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, COSCO, and Emirates SkyCargo have all restricted or halted bookings through the region, with carve-outs only for essential food and medicine. BIMCO's safety chief noted naval escorts would help but warned traffic won't resume until companies believe the trip is "genuinely safe." The Strait remains a near-total exclusion zone for commercial shipping.
IRGC declares "complete control" of Strait of Hormuz — over 3,200 ships now idle in Gulf
IRGC Navy official Mohammad Akbarzadeh stated that the Strait of Hormuz is under "complete control of the Islamic Republic's Navy," directly countering Trump's naval escort announcements. Ship tracking firm Clarksons Research estimates approximately 3,200 ships — around 4% of global ship tonnage — are now idle in the Gulf, with a further 500 vessels waiting outside in anchorages off UAE and Oman. Pakistan has formally asked Saudi Arabia to reroute oil supplies via the Red Sea port of Yanbu as an emergency measure.
Trump orders DFC insurance for Gulf shipping, threatens naval escorts — but US Navy says it lacks capacity to deliver
President Trump announced via Truth Social that the US Development Finance Corporation would immediately provide political risk insurance for all maritime trade in the Gulf, and that the Navy would escort tankers "if necessary." However, Lloyd's List reported that the US Navy privately told shipping industry leaders it does not have the naval availability to provide Hormuz escorts — with only nine guided-missile warships in the Arabian Sea already engaged in combat operations. Markets responded cautiously, with Mizuho Bank warning Trump's assurances "mitigate but do not eliminate" the war premium on oil prices.
US Senate war powers resolution fails 47–53 — Trump's four-week Iran campaign timetable confirmed, conflict shows no sign of ending
The US Senate voted 47–53 to defeat a war powers resolution that would have required Trump to pull back from Iran operations, cementing the administration's ability to continue the campaign. Trump has told interviewers the operation is expected to last four weeks, though he added "it could go far longer." White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to give a timeline for when Hormuz would be safe for tankers. Rubio separately confirmed that US-Israeli strikes would continue to increase in intensity, suggesting no near-term resolution to the shipping crisis.
First container ship struck in Hormuz — 138–147 boxships now trapped west of the strait as Houthis threaten Red Sea resumption
The Egyptian-flagged container feeder Safeen Prestige was struck 2nm off Oman while transiting eastbound, causing a fire in the engine room. All crew abandoned ship safely. It is believed to be the first container ship casualty of the current conflict. Meanwhile, an estimated 138–147 container ships totalling around 470,000 TEU are now trapped west of the Strait of Hormuz. Xeneta's chief analyst warns that 14,000 containers per day destined for the Middle East are accumulating globally, forecasting imminent surges in congestion, transit times, and spot rates. Houthis in Yemen have also signalled they will resume Red Sea attacks on commercial vessels.
Iraq shuts Rumaila oil field — no storage space as tankers cannot leave Gulf — oil at $82/bbl, analysts warn of $100 if crisis continues five weeks
Bloomberg reported Iraq has begun shutting down operations at the Rumaila oil field due to a lack of storage space, as tankers are unable to exit the Gulf. Brent crude is now trading above $82 a barrel — up more than 13% since the conflict began. Goldman Sachs and Barclays project Brent averaging $76/bbl in Q2 2026 if disruption lasts five more days and then recovers gradually, but warn prices could reach $100/bbl if the closure persists for five weeks. Iran's backchannel diplomatic contact with the US and Israel briefly caused gas prices to ease 12%, but formal talks remain ruled out by Iran's negotiators.
Known livestock carriers positioned in Middle East region — ALEC confirms no Australian animals currently at sea — but the window for safe passage has closed
Beef Central confirms that several vessels known to transport Australian livestock are currently positioned in the Middle East region, including the Kuwait Livestock Transport-operated Al Messilah, and the Ocean Swagman near Cyprus. Crucially, no Australian livestock are confirmed to be on ships in the region at this time. However, the Australian Livestock Exporters' Council (ALEC) has acknowledged it is working with DAFF to assess potential impacts. With all Gulf ports suspended, insurance cancelled, and the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, the window for any livestock vessel to reach Australian export markets in Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, or Oman has now shut entirely — an outcome that mirrors the January 2024 Red Sea disaster, but at far greater scale.
War risk insurance cancelled by major P&I clubs effective today — Hormuz now commercially unnavigable for most operators
Gard, Skuld, NorthStandard, the London P&I Club, and the American Club have all issued cancellation notices for war risk coverage in the Gulf, effective 5 March 2026. Without insurance, no commercial vessel can legally or financially operate in the Strait. War risk premiums had already risen from 0.2% to 1% of vessel value per transit — adding hundreds of thousands of dollars per shipment. Marine brokers report some underwriters are declining to offer terms at any price.
First container ship casualty: Safeen Prestige struck above waterline in Strait, crew abandons ship — around 140 container vessels now trapped in Gulf
The Egyptian-flagged container feeder vessel Safeen Prestige (1,740 TEU), owned by Transmar International Shipping of Abu Dhabi, was struck above the waterline 2 nautical miles off Oman while transiting eastbound through the Strait. The attack caused a fire in the engine room. All crew abandoned ship and are reported safe. It is the first confirmed container ship casualty since the conflict began on 28 February. Approximately 140 container ships with combined capacity of around 450,000 TEU remain trapped inside the Gulf.
UK Maritime Trade Operations confirms container vessel abandoned after being hit in Strait — UKMTO issues navigation warning
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations authority confirmed receipt of an incident report for the Safeen Prestige — struck just above the waterline by an unknown projectile, triggering an engine room fire. UKMTO has issued navigation warnings to all vessels in the area. No environmental impact reported at this stage.
Trump announces US Navy will escort tankers through Hormuz and orders DFC to provide political risk insurance for Gulf shipping — traffic remains near zero
US President Donald Trump announced via social media that the US Development Finance Corporation (DFC) would provide political risk insurance for maritime trade through the Gulf, and that the US Navy would begin escorting tankers if necessary. Despite the offer, shipping traffic through the Strait has remained at near-zero levels. BIMCO's chief safety officer cautioned that protecting the full volume of Gulf tanker traffic "would require a very high number of warships and other military assets" — making universal escort protection unrealistic.
At least 5 tankers struck, 2 crew killed — Athe Nova ablaze after two drone hits, MKD VYOM and Hercules Star also damaged
Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed the Honduran-flagged Athe Nova was struck by two drones and is burning in the Strait of Hormuz. The Marshall Islands-flagged MKD VYOM was hit off Oman, killing one Indian crew member among 21 aboard. The Gibraltar-flagged Hercules Star fuel bunkering vessel was struck off the UAE coast. The US-flagged Stena Imperative was damaged by aerial impacts while berthed in the Gulf, killing a shipyard worker. In total at least five tankers have been damaged and two people killed since 28 February.
QatarEnergy halts LNG production after Ras Laffan and Mesaieed facilities struck — European gas prices nearly double in 48 hours
Qatar's state energy firm QatarEnergy — the world's largest LNG producer — announced it has halted production after its operational facilities at Ras Laffan and Mesaieed were struck in the ongoing conflict. European natural gas prices surged from €30/MWh to above €60/MWh in 48 hours before easing slightly to €48/MWh. Qatar supplies approximately 20% of global LNG exports, almost entirely via the Strait of Hormuz.
Maersk implements emergency freight surcharge on all routes to and from UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iraq and Oman effective immediately
Maersk has announced an emergency freight increase covering all cargo to and from Gulf ports, effective 2–3 March 2026 depending on destination. The surcharge applies to all cargo not yet loaded, including future bookings. The company is implementing contingency re-routing measures and warns of significant delays on all Middle East corridor services. MSC has suspended worldwide cargo bookings to the Middle East entirely.
Over 150 tankers and LNG vessels anchored outside Strait as traffic approaches zero — Jebel Ali fire, Bahrain and Qatar ports suspended
More than 150 crude and LNG tankers have dropped anchor in open Gulf waters. Jebel Ali in Dubai sustained a berth fire after aerial interception debris fell on the port. Bahrain suspended operations at Khalifa Bin Salman Port. Qatar's Ministry of Transport temporarily suspended all maritime navigation. Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM and MSC have all ordered vessels to shelter or divert. Approximately 10% of the world's container ships are ensnared in the broader disruption.
Hormuz at near standstill as Brent crude nears $80/barrel — US petrol prices up 22 cents in one week, global supply chain disruption widening
NBC News reports that Hormuz shipping is at a near standstill with traffic barely moving despite Trump's offer of navy escorts. Brent crude is approaching $80 per barrel — up as much as 13% since the conflict began. US average petrol prices have risen 22 cents in one week to over $3.19/gallon. Analysts warn of sustained high energy prices if the closure persists, with cascading inflation effects across food, transport and manufacturing.
Hormuz closure impact analysis: South Asia faces most acute disruption — India, Pakistan, Bangladesh most exposed; China has some buffer
Energy analytics firm Kpler maps the global impact: Qatar and UAE supply 99% of Pakistan's LNG, 72% of Bangladesh's, and 53% of India's. Around 40% of China's oil imports pass through Hormuz. Approximately 31% of all global seaborne crude flows transit the Strait. Australia's livestock export trade to Kuwait, Qatar, UAE and Oman relies entirely on this passage — there is no viable alternative sea route to discharge ports.
Global shipping is buckling under the Iran crisis strain — no viable alternative route exists for vessels bound for Gulf ports
Foreign Policy analysis confirms that the Strait of Hormuz crisis has caused chaos across global shipping beyond energy alone. There is no viable alternative to getting containers in or out of Gulf ports such as Jebel Ali. Cape of Good Hope re-routing adds weeks to voyage times, is cost-prohibitive at current fuel prices, and — critically for the live export trade — dramatically increases animal suffering and mortality risk.
DAFF updates contingency plan policy v2.0 — scope widened to cover entire Middle East security situation, NOI revocation power confirmed
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has published Version 2.0 of its contingency plan policy, widening its scope from the Red Sea to the entire Middle East. Exporters must now submit detailed plans covering alternative discharge markets, extended voyage provisions, and ESCAS arrangements. Critically, the policy confirms the delegate may revoke NOI approval at any time if transport arrangements no longer ensure animal health and welfare — the legal power exists to stop the MV Al Kuwait right now.
Stop Live Exports writes urgently to PM Albanese and WA Agriculture Minister Jarvis — no government response received
Stop Live Exports delivered urgent ministerial briefings to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Agriculture Minister Julie Collins MP, Trade Minister Don Farrell, Fremantle MP Josh Wilson, and WA Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis MLC, calling for immediate permit suspension, rejection of Cape of Good Hope re-routing, and humane management of feedlot sheep within Australia. As of 5 March 2026, no formal response has been received from any federal government minister.
IRGC officially confirms Strait of Hormuz is closed — any vessel attempting transit will be targeted; crisis timeline from 28 February
On 2 March, a senior IRGC official confirmed the Strait was closed and threatened to target any vessel attempting transit. The crisis began on 28 February with US-Israeli strikes under Operation Epic Fury, killing Supreme Leader Khamenei. Within hours, IRGC broadcast VHF warnings to all vessels. Traffic fell 70% then approached zero. Protection and indemnity insurance was cancelled effective 5 March, making the economic risk too high for most operators to proceed under any circumstances.
Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC and CMA CGM all suspend Hormuz transits — at least 15 containerships reversed course, Jebel Ali fire confirmed
Lloyd's List Intelligence vessel-tracking data confirms a near-total halt to commercial transits. CMA CGM instructed all vessels to "take shelter." Hapag-Lloyd cited the "official closure by relevant authorities." Jebel Ali in Dubai confirmed a berth fire from aerial interception debris. There is no viable alternative to reaching Gulf ports such as Jebel Ali — carriers will omit calls entirely and divert to least-worst alternatives for onward road transport.
PRECEDENT: MV Bahijah sent into Red Sea conflict zone with 15,000 animals — forced to turn back after weeks at sea, multiple deaths
In January 2024, the live export vessel MV Bahijah departed Fremantle bound for the Middle East and sailed into the Red Sea conflict zone. It was forced to turn back after weeks at sea with animals confined aboard. Multiple animals died during the extended voyage. Animals were unloaded at Fremantle under biosecurity quarantine. The Department of Agriculture had been aware of the deteriorating security situation before departure. The current Hormuz crisis is significantly more severe and geographically total — there is no alternative route into the Gulf.
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