{
  "id": 6797773,
  "title": "Shipping capacity is returning to Red Sea while rates from China to Jeddah and Khor al Fakkan break Covid-19 records",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/shipping-capacity-is-returning-to-red-sea-while-rates-from-china-to",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-11T21:00:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hellenic Shipping News",
    "slug": "hellenic-shipping-news",
    "url": "https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/shipping-capacity-is-returning-to-red-sea-while-rates-from-china-to-jeddah-and-khor-al-fakkan-break-covid-19-records/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz have been affected by the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict, impacting ocean shipping routes. However, capacity is returning to the Red Sea, with August 2026 seeing a 152% increase compared to the same period a year ago. Still, capacity levels are only 23% of pre-crisis numbers.\n\nThe reopening of the Red Sea is seen as a significant factor in the ocean freight market, while service changes pose supply chain risks for shippers. Not all carriers are returning to the region, making decisions on which routes to take crucial.\n\nMeanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz has been closed for over six months, leading shippers to rely on alternative routes through Jeddah and Khor al Fakkan. Spot rates have surged, surpassing pre-Covid peaks and reaching new record highs. Costs and transit times have both increased, posing challenges for shippers in the Gulf region.",
  "summary": "“The wider Middle East conflict has impacted two major ocean shipping waterways – the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. They have both been compromised due to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East region, but they are contributing to the ocean container shipping market in two very different ways.” Red Sea: Shipping capacity ...",
  "key_points": [
    "Red Sea capacity returns with 152% increase in August 2026 vs. last year",
    "Strait of Hormuz closed for six months, shippers use Jeddah and Khor al Fakkan",
    "Spot rates exceed pre-Covid peaks, record highs in Gulf shipping costs"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}