Escalating security concerns in the Gulf region are reshaping container shipping services between the Far East, Indian Subcontinent, Middle East, and Red Sea. According to Alphaliner, deployed capacity on the trade lane fell by more than 14% year-over-year in July 2026, a reduction of approximately 312,000 TEU, as carriers adjusted operations in response to risks around the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Middle East. The largest capacity withdrawals came from HMM and SeaLead, while some major carriers, including CMA CGM, expanded their presence, underscoring the uneven impact of the conflict on vessel deployment strategies and regional supply chains.
