Navigating the “Hormuz Closure”: Global Carriers Halt Bookings

The global logistics landscape has shifted significantly this week. On March 18, major freight forwarders and carriers issued urgent advisories following the effective closure of critical waterways in the Middle East. With the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea seeing intensified disruptions, carriers have begun suspending new bookings and diverting mainline traffic.

For the Port of Colombo, this means a dual challenge: a surge in “ad-hoc” transshipment calls from vessels seeking a safe haven to offload cargo, and a tightening of empty container equipment. Sri Lankan businesses must prepare for “exceptional instability” in the coming weeks. At this stage, the priority for any supply chain manager is securing space on the few remaining reliable lanes and exploring alternative routing before backlogs reach peak levels.

Source:Yusen Logistics – Customer Advisory: Middle East Supply Chain Situation – March 18, 2026