The crisis hits fast. Vessels, cargo flows and customer commitments are affected at the same time. While the situation in the Persian Gulf continues to evolve, the priority is to create structure and make decisions.

A dedicated task force is established, bringing together experts from across the organization – including colleagues on the ground in the Persian Gulf and the UAE as well as others at the headquarters in Hamburg from 14 key functions, including Network, Fleet, Trade Management, Customer Experience, Insurance and Regional Operations. The group meets across time zones at 8:30 am every morning – including on weekends – via Team Call to assess the latest developments in the region, align on scenarios, and turn decisions into action.

In crisis mode, it doesn’t matter what day of the week it is. What matters is that everyone has the same information, that decisions are clear, and that we move fast.

The task force becomes the place where current complexity is translated into concrete next steps. Which vessels can still move safely? Where can critical cargo be rerouted to immediately? Which customers need to be informed right away?

There are rarely perfect answers in a situation like this. Instead, success depends on a clear decision-making process, bringing together the right expertise, and having the confidence to act despite uncertainty.

As uncertainty grows, one thing becomes increasingly evident: Standing still is not an option.