Even after reopening, Strait of Hormuz disruptions expected to persist for months

The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz following recent disruptions is not expected to bring an immediate return to normalcy in global energy and shipping markets.

Analysts caution that the economic, logistical, and security impacts triggered by the crisis will likely persist for months, reports Al Jazeera.

As one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, the Strait of Hormuz facilitates the transit of approximately one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies.

Its effective closure amid escalating tensions involving Iran caused a sharp contraction in shipping activity, leading to higher energy prices and heightened uncertainty across global markets. Despite the prospect of reopening, industry experts stress that shipping operations will not rebound instantly.

"When the war is officially over, and the bombardments are stopped, that does not mean that the war is over for logistics, because then the real work starts," said Nils Haupt, senior director for corporate communications at the German shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd.

"We will see hundreds of ships that want to call in at the key ports in the Persian Gulf. Lots of containers are going into the region, and we will see disruption of supply chains going to and from the Persian Gulf," Haupt told Al Jazeera, using another name for the Gulf, which is also known as the Arabian Gulf.

Ongoing security concerns—including the risks of further attacks, naval confrontations, and the presence of mines—are expected to keep vessel traffic below normal levels in the near term. Shipping companies are likely to proceed cautiously, prioritising crew safety and asset protection.

In addition, marine insurance premiums have surged significantly during the crisis. Elevated costs for war-risk coverage are expected to remain in place even after transit resumes, creating a financial disincentive for operators and slowing the pace of recovery in shipping volumes.

Global supply chains have already experienced substantial disruption. Many companies were forced to reroute cargo, delay shipments, or temporarily suspend operations. Reestablishing these logistics networks will take time, and some economic losses—particularly those related to delayed production and missed delivery schedules—cannot be fully recovered.

Energy markets are also expected to remain volatile. Although the reopening of the strait would restore a key supply route, lingering geopolitical tensions and the risk of renewed disruption are likely to sustain upward pressure on oil prices and market uncertainty.

Analysts further note that the crisis has underscored structural vulnerabilities in the global energy system, particularly the heavy reliance on a limited number of strategic transit routes.

This exposure may prompt governments and industry stakeholders to reassess supply chain resilience and diversification strategies going forward.