Market signals before the numbers.

Two VLCCs carrying Saudi crude were reportedly hit by unknown projectiles minutes apart near the Strait of Hormuz, according to Marisks and Kpler. The incidents came amid continuing restrictions on Gulf energy exports and renewed regional tensions.

European CSOV availability remained tight through the summer, with several spot fixtures exceeding €60,000 per day. Delayed offshore wind projects and postponed vessel deliveries supported demand, although record fleet growth and weaker activity in Asia-Pacific could reshape the market.

Port delays are keeping 2.3m teu of containership capacity out of service, cushioning the market as newbuildings and a gradual return to Suez threaten to release substantial vessel supply.

Visible commodity vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz fell to five per day over the weekend as operators responded cautiously to continued attacks. The IMO renewed calls for unhindered navigation, saying up to 400 ships and around 6,000 seafarers have been unable to leave the Persian Gulf safely.

The US and Iran exchanged attacks for the first time in about a month, renewing concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and pushing Brent crude above $90 a barrel.

Schedule reliability weakened across Asia’s 14 busiest container ports in July as typhoons added pressure to stretched terminal operations. Shanghai’s reliability fell to 21%, while global delays absorbed an estimated 6.6% of containership capacity.