Mar. 02 2026

As you are aware, the escalating military conflict in the Middle East has created a volatile environment that directly impacts the global supply chain.

At ESL, our first priority is the safety of crew and the security of your cargo. We understand the stress and uncertainty these disruptions can cause your business, and we are committed to navigating these challenges as your reliable partner, as far as we are able to do.

To ensure the continuity of your business, we are proactively exploring the activation of our contingency networks by leveraging our established regional presence in ports located outside the Strait of Hormuz as viable operational alternatives to cater to the region.

While we continue to explore alternatives to ensure business continuity, it is important to acknowledge that prevailing regional conditions are beyond our control. We, therefore, reserve the right to invoke relevant Terms and Conditions under our Bill of Lading, which includes and is not limited to clauses 4 and 8 in our standard ESL form; this applies not only to our liability and original delivery schedules but also to the nature and implementation of our contingency efforts, including logistical alterations, including but not limited to the redirection of cargo and the utilization of alternative discharge/loading ports and transit routes involving all of our existing partners, for the benefit of our customers.

The following vessels are maintaining safe positions within the Arabian Persian Gulf in response to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz:

  • MV Hella 02606 (VGI): Maintains its position at the Port of Jebel Ali. Port operations have been suspended / intermittent since late evening 28th Feb 2026. We are finalizing our contingency plan and will update you as soon as it is ready.
  • ESL Wafa 02605 (GLX): The vessel is currently safely positioned inside the Gulf, but away from the Strait of Hormuz, following its departure from Dammam. The port call in Bahrain has been suspended following the closure of port and gate operations at the Port of Bahrain.We will provide you the latest updates as soon as there are any changes in the situation, and as soon as this information becomes available to us.

The following is the status of vessels currently enroute to the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf:

  • Bright 02609 (GIA): The Vessel departed Mundra at 20:00 hours on 28th Feb 2026. The Vessel will not enter the Strait of Hormuz until further notice. ESL is currently doing its best in the current prevailing circumstances to finalize the contingency plans for all imports and exports planned for this vessel.
  • ASL Nanjing 02610 (GRC): The Vessel departed Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 25th Feb 2026 and is safely stationed outside the Straits of Hormuz. ESL is working diligently under the current circumstances to finalize contingency plans for all imports and exports scheduled on this vessel.
  • ESL Sana 02605 (CMX): The Vessel departed Singapore on 22nd Feb 2026 upon completion of operations. ESL is currently exploring alternative ports of discharge for shipments planned for transhipment / discharge at Jebel Ali relating to this vessel.

We will share these specific details with you as soon as they are confirmed. In the meantime, we are maintaining a 24/7 watch on the evolving regional situation to protect your interests and provide you with the most accurate, real-time information, as and when such information becomes available to us.

Thank you for your continued trust and patience as we navigate these challenges together.