Ho Chi Minh City, March 4 -- The escalating conflict in the Middle East is exerting significant pressure on the global economy, disrupting maritime transport and weighing on international trade flows. For Vietnam - a highly trade-dependent economy, tensions affecting the Suez - Red Sea corridor and the Gulf region are expected to have far-reaching impacts on production and export activities across multiple sectors. Sea freight hit by disruptions Just days after hostilities broke out between the US - Israel alliance and Iran, a series of international shipping lines issued urgent notices to customers, suspending bookings for cargo to and from parts of the Middle East. Freight rates on alternative routes are also forecast to rise sharply. K...