PCTC’s Hormuz exit orchestrated

THE WALLENIUS Wilhelmsen pure car and truck carrier Morning Concert has successfully exited the Strait of Hormuz after being inside the Persian Gulf since the Israel/USA-Iran conflict began in February.

The decision to proceed was based on a comprehensive assessment, with the safety of crew as the top priority, the company said. Morning Concert exited through Omani waters.

“We thank the crew and external stakeholders who facilitated the safe exit of the strait. Wallenius Wilhelmsen hopes for prolonged stabilization in the region and continued safety of seafarers,” Lasse Kristoffersen, Wallenius Wilhelmsen CEO and president, said.

In its Q1 results (released 29 April) Wallenius Wilhelmsen noted that the Middle East represents about 10% of the global deep sea vehicle trade, driven by Asian volumes.

At the time the Middle East conflict had trapped 14 ships in the Strait of Hormuz, with Morning Concert the only Wallenius Wilhelmsen vessel affected.

But one peer had four ships stranded and two others each had three. It is not clear how many of these ships have since ‘escaped’.

Wallenius Wilhelmsen estimated an impact of -2% on its own revenue but said this was offset by other revenue, principally earned on increased demand from Chinese manufacturers.

Asia-ME (Jeddah) via the Cape of Good Hope added +/- 44 days, while Asia-Arabian Gulf (Bab el-Mandab) was +/- 18.2 days.

Wallenius Wilhelmsen's Q2 2026 quarterly report is due for release on 11 August.