Shipping giant Clarkson has posted a record profit as chaos in the Strait of Hormuz drove a surge in demand for its services. Shipping brokers like Clarkson have been able to cash in as the cycle of attacks and shipping route disruption has fuelled demand for its services in sourcing vessels and route charting. Shares in Clarkson surged almost as much as 9 per cent on Monday morning after the update, sending shares to a record high of 5,170 pence. Clarkson said that its performance had been ‘accentuated by turbulence’ caused by the war in the Middle East. Today’s record first-half profit shows how that disruption has since become a significant tailwind for its broking business.