Hormuz Disruption Sparks 34,000 Diversions, Redraws Asian Shipping Networks

Event summary

  • Over 34,000 route diversions recorded in four weeks post-Hormuz disruption, with Week 4 seeing the highest volume.
  • Saudi Arabia and Singapore emerging as key diversion destinations, while UAE's share dropped from 42.6% to 33.1%.
  • Navi Mumbai's transshipment volumes surged over 700% compared to February, becoming the most congested port in the region.
  • Import dwell times in Navi Mumbai doubled to 23.47 days, reflecting rapid carrier routing restructuring.
  • Structural shifts in cargo flows indicate long-term network restructuring, not temporary rerouting.

The big picture

The Hormuz disruption has triggered a structural shift in Asian shipping networks, with carriers rapidly redistributing cargo flows to alternative ports. This restructuring is creating unprecedented congestion at secondary hubs, signaling a permanent realignment of trade routes. The situation highlights the vulnerability of global supply chains to geopolitical disruptions and the need for more flexible logistics infrastructure.

What we're watching

Port Capacity Limits
Whether secondary ports like Navi Mumbai can handle sustained transshipment surges without further congestion.
Network Restructuring
The pace at which carriers distribute flows across alternative ports and the long-term impact on traditional Gulf hubs.
Congestion Dynamics
How rising dwell times in India, Singapore, and China will affect overall supply chain efficiency.