April 2026 Intelligence Brief
- Apr 9
- 3 min read
Industry perspective
The past two months have made one thing clear: the frameworks operators rely on, from established trade lanes to regulatory timelines and predictable fuel markets, can be redrawn faster than the industry’s planning cycles allow.
The near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz exposed how quickly contingency planning reaches its limits. Some traffic is now trickling back through, reaching around 20 transits per day at their recent peak (as of early April 2026), roughly one seventh of the historic daily average of approximately 138 vessels.
Iran is selectively permitting passage; a UN Security Council resolution to boost security in the Strait did not pass, and Qatar LNG carriers have aborted transit attempts. Normal has not returned. At the same time, new MARPOL ECAs, expanded reporting obligations and updated safety standards are all demanding attention, compressing an already stretched compliance agenda.
Resilience so far in 2026 is less about weathering disruption and more about how consistently the right data and processes are in place before it arrives.
Industry updates
Strait of Hormuz: Traffic remains far from normal
Daily transits through the Strait of Hormuz have reached approximately 20 per day at their recent peak (as of early April 2026), around one seventh of the historic average of approximately 138 vessels daily. Iran is selectively granting passage, with Iraqi ships formally exempted and the first Western vessel, a CMA CGM container ship, transiting in early April. Qatar LNG carriers have aborted transit attempts, and a UN Security Council resolution to boost security in the Strait did not pass on 7 April. The Trump administration doubled its maritime insurance backstop to $40 billion, but the waterway remains far from operational normality.
US Administration approves 60-day Jones Act Waiver
The White House approved a 60-day Jones Act waiver permitting non-US-flagged vessels to carry cargo between US ports, a direct response to supply chain pressures from the Hormuz disruption. The waiver is valid for a 60-day period and will expire on May 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Container freight rates stabilise at $2,287 per FEU
Drewry’s World Container Index held steady at $2,287 per 40-foot container, with rates stable across Asia-Europe and Transpacific trades. The stabilisation follows weeks of volatility driven by Hormuz disruption and supply chain recalibration, offering a cautiously positive signal for freight planning.
IMO continues progress on Digitalisation to enhance maritime safety and security
IMO’s Facilitation Committee (FAL) has approved a global strategy for maritime digitalisation alongside cybersecurity measures for maritime single windows. The FAL oversees matters related to the facilitation of international maritime traffic, including the arrival, stay and departure of ships, persons and cargo from ports. The approval marks a significant step in IMO’s broader effort to standardise and secure digital processes across the global fleet.
Asia Pacific Maritime 2026 - Record attendance in Singapore
The 19th Asia Pacific Maritime held its largest-ever edition in Singapore, welcoming 19,431 attendees alongside 819+ exhibitors from 41 regions. The event reinforced Singapore’s position as the key hub for maritime digitalisation, decarbonisation and commercial partnership across Asia-Pacific.
Regulatory updates
MARPOL Annex VI — Canadian Arctic & Norwegian Sea ECAs Effective 1 March 2026
The Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea are now designated Emission Control Areas (ECAs) under MARPOL Annex VI (IMO Resolution MEPC.392(82)). NOx Tier III requirements apply to vessels where building contracts are placed on or after 1 March 2026. SOx compliance (≤0.10% m/m sulphur) for operating vessels applies from 1 March 2027. Operators trading these routes should review fuel strategies, engine certifications and voyage planning now.
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