MethodologyContact usSupportLogin
Conflict involving Iran and other parties across the Middle East continues to create uncertainty for global commodity trade and logistics, with freight markets closely monitoring developments affecting key transport routes.
Shipping through strategically important waterways in the region remains subject to heightened risk, prompting some operators to reroute vessels, pause transits or factor in additional security and insurance costs. These adjustments are contributing to longer transit times, tighter vessel availability and upward price pressure for commodities moving into and out of the region.
Conditions remain fluid, and logistics disruption – rather than outright supply loss – is currently the primary channel through which the conflict is affecting physical markets. The latest coverage from Fastmarkets of the war, and its implications for trade and logistics, is set out in the stories listed below.
The Middle East conflict has triggered a massive energy price shock, severely disrupting the European paper market by driving up production and transportation costs. Read more.
Crude palm oil (CPO) and soyoil futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) extended gains on Thursday March 12, as it continued to track strength in related vegoils and energy markets. The highs in CPO reached earlier in the day eased off by the day’s close.
The aluminium market is being pulled in two directions by the Middle East conflict: upstream feedstocks sit in temporary buffer stocks, while delivering metal to consuming regions is becoming increasingly difficult
Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Port of Sohar in Oman are becoming tactical workarounds for base metal exports blocked by the Strait of Hormuz closure, with cargo transiting via land-bridge to other Gulf states, such as Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates – though capacity constraints and elevated logistics costs limit availability, sources with direct visibility of Gulf supply chains told Fastmarkets.
The Mexican aluminium market might be strongly affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with supply constraints and consequently higher premiums, market participants told Fastmarkets on Tuesday March 10.
European allowances have steadily dropped in recent days amid wide uncertainty in the emissions trading market, defying a sharp spike in Dutch TTF Natural Gas prices prompted by the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
To get more of the latest market news and analysis from our experts
Our price reporters and editorial team provide regular market intelligence and insights into the biggest issues facing the commodity markets.
The definitive podcast for the critical minerals and battery raw materials markets. From uncovering market secrets to predicting future trends using Fastmarkets forecasting data, we’ve got you covered.
Metal Bulletin • American Metal Market • Scrap Price Bulletin • Industrial Minerals • RISI • FOEX • The Jacobsen • Agricensus • Palm Oil Analytics • Random Lengths • Hardwood Market Report • FastMarkets and more
Whether you’re interested in learning how to become a customer from our sales teams or looking to get in touch with one of our reporters, we’re here for you.
Speak to our team
Navigate uncertainty and make business decisions with confidence using our price data, forecasts and critical intelligence.
Learn more