Shipping broker Clarkson has posted a record profit as chaos in the Strait of Hormuz drove a surge in demand for its services. The group said its performance had been "accentuated by turbulence" caused by the war in the Middle East, which has forced many firms to change shipping plans and routes at the last minute to avoid missile and drone attacks.
Shipping brokers like Clarkson have been able to cash in as the cycle of attacks and route disruption has fuelled demand for its services in sourcing vessels and charting routes.
Shares in Clarkson surged almost as much as 9 per cent on Monday morning after the update, sending them to a record high of 5,170 pence. Shares have already risen by 36 per cent so far in 2026.
Profit and sales figures
Profits rose 56 per cent to £61.5 million over the six months to 30 June, compared with the same period in 2025. Sales rose 39 per cent to £413.5 million over the period, which chief executive Andi Case said had been "characterised by significant geo-political disruption, most notably the closure of the Strait of Hormuz."
Case said uncertainty remained over the timing and extent of the Strait reopening. He added that a "progressive reopening" over the next few months would "support restocking activity, and recovering volumes have the potential to provide additional support to shipping markets," whereas an extended closure "would act as a headwind to global trade and economic growth."
Outlook for the year
Case said he expects the group's annual performance to be "materially ahead of market expectations." He said Clarkson delivered a record first half performance, reflecting both the investment into its underlying business and the exceptional volatility caused by the disruption to global trade from global conflict, including the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
He added that in a world that remains increasingly complex, the company's scale, breadth of expertise, market intelligence and global reach mean it is well positioned to support clients with the best advice, whatever the market conditions.
Analyst reaction
Sam North, market analyst at investment platform Etoro, said that back in March, the Middle East crisis was largely an uncertainty hanging over Clarkson and the wider shipping industry. He said today's record first-half profit shows how that disruption has since become a significant tailwind for its broking business.
North said how quickly traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea normalises will determine how much of this exceptional boost carries into the second half, but for now Clarkson's scale and market reach leave it well placed to benefit from continued complexity in global trade.
