Risky business — are we going back to square one in Hormuz?

Not even a month after the Strait of Hormuz "re-opened", President Trump has said he considers the ceasefire with Iran to be "OVER!" in the Middle East Gulf. Vessel traffic in the Gulf has responded to the more risky environment. TradeWinds reporter **Matt Coyne** is here to round up what has been happening. **Read more:** Ships steer clear of Omani route through Strait of Hormuz as US-Iran deal collapses Trump says US has agreed to talks with Iran — but ceasefire still ‘OVER! Meanwhile, the northern hemisphere is HOT. El Nino has arrived, according to US authorities, and water levels are falling in major shipping waterways around the world. All eyes are, of course, on the Panama Canal. **Ian Lewis** joins us to talk about how container lines are passing extra costs on to customers and what we might see next. **Read more:** How low-water surcharges are becoming the new normal for container shipping Panama Canal braced for El Nino impact as vital waterway cuts lock draught limits Why China’s coal surge matters for panamax bulker owners TradeWinds' gas expert **Lucy Hine** has spoken to top management at shipowner BW LNG about a new vessel design that could make shipping gas even more efficient. She is here with a snippet from this week's long-form Wavelength Plus podcast. **Read more:** LNG carriers: Four tanks good, three tanks — even better, BW LNG says And finally, why does shipping — a 'people business' — enjoy a challenge so much? TradeWinds' editor-in-chief **Julian Bray** tells us about his trip to Barcelona for *le grand d*é*part* of the Tour de France, and whether the power of 'alternative networking' is behind the rise of shipping businesses sponsoring sports teams and sometimes even buying them. But will shipping ever kick the booze? **Read more:** Tour de France reveals how cycling truly is ‘the new golf’ Shipping teams take on 24 Peaks Challenge for The Seafarers’ Charity **Production and host**: Holly Birkett. **Additional reporting:** Matt Coyne, Ian Lewis, Lucy Hine, Julian Bray and Yannick Guerry. ***A TradeWinds/DN Media podcast***   * * * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.