Maritime Industry Briefing: Hormuz Tensions Persist, SC Ports Pauses Leatherman Terminal, and Diplomatic Channels Open

## Hormuz Transits Continue as Owners Grow Cautious Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz continued on Monday, though confidence among vessel operators has visibly eroded following a series of attacks over the weekend. According to gCaptain, the number of vessels broadcasting their passage through the critical chokepoint dropped noticeably, with several companies citing heightened security concerns as a reason for reduced AIS transparency or route reconsideration. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most strategically vital maritime corridors, with approximately 20% of global oil supply transiting the waterway. Any sustained disruption to navigation confidence carries significant implications for energy markets and global freight flows. Diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions are underway. Iranian and U.S. technical teams working on the implementation of an interim peace deal are expected to convene in Doha in the coming days, Reuters reported via gCaptain. Mediators have established de-escalation channels ahead of the talks, signalling that both sides are seeking to prevent further deterioration. The outcome of those discussions could prove pivotal in stabilising owner sentiment and restoring normal transit volumes. --- ## South Carolina Ports to Suspend Leatherman Terminal Operations In a significant development for U.S. East Coast port infrastructure, South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) has announced it will temporarily suspend container operations at the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal in North Charleston, effective August 1. The move, reported by gCaptain, represents the latest chapter in a troubled history for the $1 billion facility, which has struggled to attract consistent cargo volumes since opening just over five years ago. SC Ports cited mounting trade headwinds as a contributing factor to the decision. The pause is expected to allow the authority to consolidate operations and better align capacity with current demand levels. The Leatherman Terminal was designed as a state-of-the-art, purpose-built container facility intended to handle the next generation of ultra-large container vessels, making its continued underperformance a notable concern for regional stakeholders and port investors. --- ## Industrial Technology: Cattron Confirms CRA-Ready Remote Control Products On the technology front, Warren, Ohio-based Cattron has announced that its wireless remote control solutions are now compliant with the European Union's forthcoming Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), ahead of the regulation's first reporting deadline in September 2026. The company says it is among the first industrial and locomotive remote control manufacturers to confirm CRA-ready product availability. While primarily an industrial and rail-sector development, the announcement carries relevance for port and terminal operators utilising wireless remote control systems within EU jurisdictions, where compliance obligations will apply across connected industrial equipment.