MANILA – The Strait of Hormuz has become a bottleneck for Philippine shipping, with 130 container vessels reportedly stranded due to heightened tensions in the region, AISL President Patrick Ronas told a Senate hearing on Wednesday.
Speaking before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, Ronas said that although some ships have exited, most remain trapped in the strategic waterway.
To minimize risks from potential conflict, Philippine cargoes that would normally pass through the strait are now offloaded in Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, and then transported overland to Middle Eastern destinations.
“The entrapment of vessels has disrupted normal shipping operations. Fuel issues, service diversions, and container offloading are just some of the challenges we’re facing,” Ronas said.
He also highlighted that European-bound shipments are now rerouted via the Cape of Good Hope, extending travel time by up to two weeks. While this detour adds time, it avoids the security hazards of the Strait of Hormuz, a major maritime link between Asia, Africa, and Europe.
ia/xf
