US President Donald Trump stated that the US army's blockade of Iran's seaports was more effective than bombing and that Washington is prepared to quickly reinstate such tactics if needed. He mentioned this at the White House, with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirming the military's readiness.
US Vice President JD Vance stated that Iran's seaports are no longer blockaded and merchant ships can pass through the Strait of Hormuz following a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran. He noted that Iranian forces have not attacked ships for two nights, and CENTCOM has allowed a dozen ships through the naval blockade, with 12.5 million barrels of oil already transported.
Russian seaports saw a 3.7% year-on-year increase in cargo turnover to 369.63 million metric tons in January-May 2026. Dry cargo rose 6.1% and liquid bulk cargo increased 1.5%. Export cargo grew 3.5%, while import and transit cargo declined.
South Korean seaports handled 388.45 million tons of cargo in Q1 2026, up 1.5% year-on-year, showing limited impact from Middle East tensions. Container cargo fell 1.2% to 7.87 million TEUs, with US shipments dropping 10.2% and Vietnam down 6.98%, while China and Japan routes grew 2.4% and 9.5% respectively.
