Middle East shipping security escalated sharply: Reuters, 1News and other outlets reported in the early hours of October 23 that, according to Iranian statements, seven tankers were hit, caught fire or were damaged overnight in the Strait of Hormuz — the highest single-day count recently — with the reports still awaiting independent verification. A day earlier, Yemen's Houthi movement announced four attacks on Saudi targets including the defense ministry, claiming a direct hit on a Saudi Aramco facility at the port of Yanbu.
Background: gCaptain reported on October 22 that Saudi Aramco saw a key oil pipeline shut for days after a September drone attack, and that the Shaybah oil field and Dammam airport were attacked again on October 21. The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly a quarter of the world's seaborne crude trade, so its security directly feeds into energy transport pricing.
Oil and bunker costs are climbing fast: Dow Jones/Morningstar data shows ICE Brent futures settled up 4.00% at USD 113.17 per barrel on October 22, a new high for this run; Yicai/Cailian Press reported WTI crude touched the USD 100 per barrel mark intraday on October 23. In China's domestic futures market, the main low-sulfur fuel oil contract rose nearly 4% in the October 23 morning session (Sina Finance).
Pass-through to logistics costs: as fuel takes a larger share of carrier operating costs, the risk of further BAF and Emergency Fuel Surcharge (EFS) increases grows — Maersk already raised its EFS to 20% effective October 12, and CMA CGM applied USD 75/TEU on intra-Asia trades earlier this month. China-Japan short-sea lanes do not transit Middle East waters, but fuel is a global cost input, so surcharge terms in upcoming quotes may move with oil prices; war-risk premiums on Gulf-connected transshipment cargo also need per-shipment review.
Our advice: confirm quote validity and BAF/EFS calculation terms when requesting rates, and lock in price and space early for peak-season cargo. We offer one-stop China-to-Japan FCL/LCL ocean freight, air freight and international express. Use the buttons below for rate calculation, tracking or online consultation — or click sales@ruixincargo.com to send your cargo details (all rates are reference rates; formal quotes are provided case by case).