FTA's General Manager Freight Policy & Operations, Tom Jensen, was featured in The Daily Telegraph coverage examining what the Iran ceasefire could mean for Australian households, inflation and supply chains.
The article highlighted FTA's view that, while there may be some immediate relief for bulk and energy shipping, containerised trade remains far more exposed to risk and disruption.
In the article, Mr Jensen noted that ships carrying key commodities may be among the first to benefit from any easing in tensions, stating:
"The good news is that ships transporting core commodities like fertiliser and crude could begin transiting through the Strait."
He also warned that container shipping remains fragile, stating:
"There is a lot of trepidation in shipping lines," and that "Insurance costs are still an issue and there is no guarantee the ceasefire won't fall apart."
Mr Jensen further explained why fuel and bulk commodity movements are likely to recover sooner, stating:
"The criticality of fuel supply will see them return more quickly. I think that's the whole point of this ceasefire, to get the fuel and bulk commodities moving quickly … (and) with oil tankers and bulk cargo – you've really just one client, so when you're talking about insurance risks, it's a lesser evil. But containerised ships have thousands of customers."
The article reinforces FTA's message that, even with a ceasefire in place, shipping conditions remain uncertain and broader supply chain cost pressures may not unwind overnight.
Read the full article here
