Silke Lehmköster, fleet managing director at Hapag-Lloyd, faces daily decisions about navigating 310 vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, now a war zone. After months of avoiding the route, she authorized one ship, the *Tema Express*, to cross the Persian Gulf in April 2026. The move marked the company’s first passage since Iranian attacks began. Over 20 commercial ships have been targeted in the strait this year, with two European-owned vessels seized by Iran last week. “Basically you’re sending someone unarmed into war,” Lehmköster said, highlighting the vulnerability of unarmed cargo ships. More than 20,000 crew members aboard 1,600 stranded vessels face prolonged risks, as operations in the region—controlling 20% of global oil flows—remain volatile.

The economic calculus is stark: despite hazards, shipping firms like Maersk and MSC continue transits, lured by surging oil prices and commodity profits. BIMCO, the global shipping association, notes that successful crossings can yield significant rewards, though risks escalate with each interception. Iran’s naval blockades and U.S. countermeasures—including Trump’s directive to shoot mine-laying boats—create conflicting advisories, complicating navigation. Hapag-Lloyd’s Hamburg control room monitors real-time traffic, while stranded crews endure missile strikes and psychological strain, coping with barbecues and movie nights to maintain morale.

Captain Lehmköster, a 15-year maritime veteran, emphasizes the human cost: 100 stranded seafarers from Ukraine, Russia, and Southeast Asia await safe passage. Even minor incidents, like shrapnel damaging a vessel last month, underscore the danger. The strait’s chokehold on global trade—amplified by geopolitical tensions—has exposed vulnerabilities in supply chains, with Hapag-Lloyd ranking fifth among container shippers. Analysts warn that prolonged disruptions could trigger broader economic ripple effects, from delayed goods to inflated prices.

Lehmköster insists on guarantees from both U.S. and Iranian authorities before resuming crossings, a condition yet unmet. “The responsibility weighs heavily,” she said, balancing crew safety against business imperatives. The Persian Gulf’s instability remains a litmus test for corporate risk management in an era of fractured alliances.