Maritime Industry Briefing: Hormuz Control Claim, El Niño Shipping Risks, and Transpacific Volume Rebound

## Maritime Industry Briefing ### Trump Claims US Should Control — and Be Paid For — the Strait of Hormuz President Donald Trump stated on Monday that the United States would 'probably' take control of the Strait of Hormuz and should be financially compensated for doing so, according to gCaptain. The remarks have drawn immediate attention from maritime industry observers given the waterway's critical importance to global energy trade. The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most strategically significant oil chokepoint, with roughly 20% of global petroleum liquids transiting the passage annually. Any shift in the geopolitical governance of the strait would carry profound implications for tanker operations, insurance markets, and energy supply chains worldwide. No formal policy action has been announced, and the comments are being closely monitored by shipping companies and energy traders alike. ### NOAA Warns of Record El Niño, Raising Fresh Shipping Concerns The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has warned that a strengthening El Niño weather event is on track to rank among the strongest in the historical record, raising significant concerns for global shipping, gCaptain reports. The warning comes in close succession to disruptions already affecting the Panama Canal, where reduced water levels have forced draft restrictions and vessel queuing in recent periods. A powerful El Niño cycle typically brings prolonged drought conditions to Central America, which could further constrain Panama Canal transits and force additional vessels onto longer alternative routes. Carriers and cargo owners are being advised to monitor developments closely and review contingency routing plans. ### OOCL Reports Strong Transpacific Rebound in Q2 Hong Kong-based container carrier OOCL posted a robust second-quarter performance, with overall revenue rising 19.8% year-on-year, driven by a 29.3% surge in transpacific service volumes, according to Seatrade Maritime. The results signal a meaningful recovery in one of the world's most commercially important trade lanes following a period of softened demand. The transpacific corridor, which connects Asian manufacturing hubs to North American consumer markets, is a key barometer of broader container shipping health. OOCL's figures will be watched by analysts as an early indicator of sector-wide Q2 performance. ### SITC Expands Vietnam Logistics Footprint with Da Nang Depot Regional logistics and container shipping provider SITC has opened a new depot in Da Nang, Vietnam, filling a gap in its national coverage, Seatrade Maritime reports. The facility brings SITC's total Vietnam depot network to five locations, collectively spanning approximately 450,000 square metres across the country's key trade regions. The expansion reflects continued investment in Southeast Asian logistics infrastructure as Vietnam cements its role as a major manufacturing and export hub, particularly for electronics, textiles, and consumer goods destined for global markets.