The return of shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz following an\nagreement between the United States and Iran has brought fresh optimism\nfor global trade and energy distribution. The shipping lane, previously\ndisrupted by geopolitical tensions, is now beginning to operate again.\nHowever, logistics industry players caution that the normalisation of\nvessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has not entirely eliminated risks\nto the global supply chain. The recovery of the shipping route is not\nnecessarily being followed by the restoration of energy infrastructure\ndamaged by conflict in the Middle East region.<\/p>\n
Under a memorandum of understanding signed in mid-June 2026, Iran\ngranted commercial vessels permission to transit the Strait of Hormuz\nwithout charge for 60 days. Previously, the closure of the route since\nlate February 2026 had left nearly 600 ships and around 20,000 seafarers\nstranded in the Gulf region.<\/p>\n
Disruption to one of the world\u2019s most important shipping lanes\nsignificantly impacted global energy trade. Around 20 per cent of the\nworld\u2019s oil trade was temporarily obstructed, whilst logistics costs,\ninsurance premiums, and international shipping rates experienced\nincreases.<\/p>\n
Yukki Nugrahawan Hanafi, Senior Vice President of the International\nFederation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) and Chairman of\nthe Board of Trustees of the Indonesian Logistics and Forwarders\nAssociation (ALFI), assessed that the recovery of shipping activity is\npositive news for the business world. Nevertheless, he cautioned that\nthe greater risk still stems from damage to energy infrastructure caused\nby the conflict. \u201cThe return of shipping is certainly good news for\nbusinesses. But we need to view this situation more comprehensively. The\ncurrent challenge is not only about the security of shipping lanes, but\nalso the condition of energy infrastructure damaged by conflict in the\nMiddle East region,\u201d Yukki stated.<\/p>\n
As one of the world\u2019s most strategic trade routes, the Strait of\nHormuz is a vital point for global energy distribution. Approximately\none-fifth of the world\u2019s oil trade and the majority of liquefied natural\ngas (LNG) exports from the Gulf region pass through the strait.\nAccording to Yukki, stability in the Strait of Hormuz has a direct\nimpact on Asian countries, including Indonesia. The condition of this\nshipping lane affects energy availability, logistics costs, inflation\nrates, and the competitiveness of national industry.<\/p>\n
When the conflict reached its peak, the impact was immediately felt\nin global markets. Brent crude oil prices at one point held around\nUS$106 per barrel, whilst war insurance premiums, shipping route\nchanges, and international transport costs saw significant increases.\nCurrently, Brent oil prices are around US$77 per barrel, but market\nuncertainty still looms.<\/p>\n
Yukki highlighted a fundamental difference between the recovery of\nshipping lanes and the recovery of energy facilities. According to him,\nshipping lanes can be reopened in a relatively short time once security\nconditions improve. Conversely, repairing energy facilities requires a\nmuch longer period. \u201cUnlike shipping lanes which can be reopened\nrelatively quickly after security improves, the recovery of energy\nfacilities takes far longer. Oil refineries, export terminals, storage\nfacilities, and disrupted LNG infrastructure require repairs,\ninvestment, and operational testing before they can operate optimally,\u201d\nhe said.<\/p>\n
These concerns align with findings from international energy\nagencies. Energy research firm Rystad Energy estimates damage to energy\ninfrastructure in the Gulf region reached approximately US$58 billion.\nMeanwhile, the International Energy Agency (IEA) recorded that more than\n40 oil and gas assets suffered damage due to the conflict. Some\nfacilities are even expected to require years to return to normal\noperation due to limitations in equipment and specialist personnel.<\/p>\n
According to Yukki, this situation demonstrates that although tankers\nhave resumed operations, global energy production and distribution\ncapacity may not necessarily recover fully straight away. This situation\nhas the potential to sustain energy price volatility in the medium term\nwhilst maintaining pressure on global supply chain costs.<\/p>\n
For Indonesia, this condition serves as an important reminder to\nstrengthen national logistics and supply chain resilience. Efforts that\ncan be undertaken include accelerating industrialisation and downstream\nprocessing programmes, improving national energy storage capacity,\nstrengthening multimodal connectivity, and diversifying sources of\nenergy and strategic raw materials. \u201cThe Strait of Hormuz is indeed busy\nagain. But the biggest lesson is not simply the recovery of tanker\ntraffic, but rather the importance of building energy resilience,\ninfrastructure, and supply chains sustainably. Amid increasingly complex\ngeopolitical uncertainty, a country\u2019s ability to maintain the continuity\nof its supply chain will be the main determinant of competitiveness and\neconomic resilience in the future,\u201d Yukki concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/supply-chain-threats-persist-despite-strait-of-hormuz-normalisation-1782283833", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }