Gotrade News - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned that the escalation of the conflict in Iran could have serious economic impacts on Europe, comparable to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. This statement was made during a press conference with Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa, highlighting the urgency to halt military operations in the region.
Key Takeaways:
- The economic impact of the Iran war could be more severe than COVID-19.
- The shipping company Samudera Indonesia is rerouting to East Asia as a precautionary measure.
- The importance of a diplomatic approach to defuse the conflict.
Merz emphasized the significant risks to Europe's economic stability should the conflict expand. He advocated for a diplomatic, rather than military, solution to resolve tensions related to Iran's nuclear program, urging support from major countries, including the US and Israel.
Meanwhile, PT Samudera Indonesia Tbk (SMDR) is rerouting its shipping routes to East Asia, avoiding the Middle East conflict risks. CEO Bani M. Mulia stated that the geopolitical tensions have not yet directly affected current services.
Bani reinforced that his company is proactively suspending services to Middle Eastern ports. This decision was made as a risk mitigation step and to explore expansion opportunities on the East Asian routes, including Japan and South Korea.
Germany also proposed a more active role in maintaining post-conflict regional stability. Merz suggested establishing an international contact group to coordinate shared efforts in safeguarding global energy trade routes.
Samudera Indonesia's strategy aligns with the need to secure operational safety. Amid the suspension of services to the Middle East, the company sees growth opportunities in East Asia routes.
With increasing demand in East Asia, Samudera Indonesia plans to open new routes connecting major ports such as Nagoya, Kobe, and Busan. This move is expected to boost the company's performance in a more stable region.
On the diplomatic front, Germany hopes for cooperation with the US and Israeli governments to swiftly end the conflict. In the coming weeks, the extent to which diplomatic solutions can be implemented will become clearer.
Reference:
- Liputan6, Jerman Ingatkan Dampak Ekonomi Perang Iran Bisa Lebih Parah dari COVID. Accessed on March 31, 2026
- Liputan6, Perang Iran, Samudera Indonesia Alihkan Rute ke Asia Timur. Accessed on March 31, 2026
- MetroTV, Ketegangan di Selat Hormuz Bayangi Ketahanan Energi Global. Accessed on March 31, 2026
Featured Image: GPT Image 1.5
