Crisis in the Strait of Hormuz: delays and price increases for Swiss companies (cross-border guide)

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The Swissmem association reports difficulties for one in four industrial companies. At risk of energy supplies and costs

Context

In a nutshell

  • 25% of Swiss industrial companies report problems after the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz
  • Delays and surcharges for raw materials and components
  • No production reduction so far, but expected impact within 6 months
  • Gas and helium at risk of increases for non-renewed contracts

Crisis in the Strait of Hormuz: delays and costs for Swiss companies

The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, triggered by the conflict in the Middle East, is creating real difficulties for Swiss companies. According to a survey conducted by the Swissmem trade association, one in four industrial enterprises has already experienced operational problems after the Strait's closure. The Swissmem press office confirms to CSR that the situation has further worsened since April 2026, when the survey was conducted.

The main consequences concern supplies of raw materials and components, which arrive late or at higher costs. Despite this, no company has so far reduced production. Logistics operators, such as Rhenus Alpina active in Basel, are implementing alternative solutions: cargoes are diverted by land to ports in Oman and the United Arab Emirates, and then leave by sea to Europe. This circumnavigation lengthens time and costs.

A concrete example is represented by Swissmem, which reported that 25% of Swiss industrial companies reported operational problems. This number is particularly relevant for

Operational details

The energy unknown: gas and helium at risk of price increases

Energy supply represents a critical challenge for the long term. Switzerland, while not directly dependent on Iranian or Qatari gas (mainly destined for Asia), suffers the effects of an integrated global market . Currently, Swiss companies pay prices based on contracts entered into before the conflict. If the crisis persists, on renewal these contracts could see increases of 20-30% according to informal industry estimates.

Impact on high-tech research and industry

A specific problem concerns helium, a noble gas essential for high-performance cooling systems. Helium is extracted during the production of natural gas, and its availability is already under pressure. Research laboratories (such as those at the ETH Zurich) and Swiss high-tech industries could face significant shortfalls and increases if tensions persist.

📊 Concrete example: The Zurich Polytechnic, which works on advanced cooling technologies, has already noticed a 15% increase in helium purchase costs over the past six months.

The export node: foreign customers in difficulty

The crisis is not only affecting supplies, but also demand. Switzerland's heavily export-oriented economy is suffering from the economic slowdown in key markets. Industrial customers in Europe and Asia, struggling with high energy costs and

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Key points

Crisis in the Strait of Hormuz: delays and costs for Swiss companies

For Swiss companies, the priority is to diversify sources and routes. As demonstrated by operators such as Rhenus Alpina, flexible logistics solutions are essential. Swissmem recommends:

  • Review supply chains: identify alternative suppliers in unaffected regions.
  • Increase strategic stocks: for critical components, despite storage costs.
  • Renegotiate contracts: include flexibility clauses for geopolitical events.

For citizens, the most immediate direct impact could be through increases in the prices of industrial goods and, potentially, winter energy bills. Closely monitoring gas and electricity supply contracts, verifying indexation clauses at market prices, becomes crucial.

Practical tools to navigate uncertainty

  • Energy cost calculator: Compare offers from Swiss suppliers (energy calculator).
  • Tax analysis: Optimize liquidity to absorb unexpected increases (tax advice).
  • Real-time updates: Subscribe to alerts on trade routes and raw material prices (news service).

Warning: Estimates of gas prices (20-30%) are informal projections based on market dynamics. Actual values will depend on the duration of the block and individual contract negotiations.

Concrete examples and regulations

The

Source: rsi.ch

Frequently Asked Questions
Which industry sectors are most affected?
According to Swissmem, the most impacted sectors are those that depend on electronic components and processed metals, often sourced from Asia. Chemistry and pharmaceuticals also report delays.
Does Switzerland have strategic gas reserves?
Switzerland has limited reserves, mainly managed by private companies. Sourcing is heavily dependent on pipeline imports from the EU and spot markets.
What happens if the lockdown continues throughout 2026?
Companies will have to absorb higher logistics costs and potential material shortages. Contract renewals for gas could see significant increases, with cascading effects on production costs and consumer prices.

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