Report: Iran war gradually endangering semiconductor production
The conflict between the USA/Israel and Iran is increasingly threatening to paralyze the chip industry. Energy and raw material supplies are being slowed down.
The LNG deliveries stuck due to Iran's naval blockade are increasingly becoming a problem for countries like Taiwan, according to a report.
(Image: Wojciech Wrzesien / Shutterstock.com)
The naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Iran is gradually threatening global semiconductor supply, according to a report. Because deliveries of cryogenic liquefied natural gas (LNG) and helium are stuck, chip manufacturing by TSMC, among others, could be affected. Another problem is the restrictions at Dubai International Airport. This serves as a regional hub for Cathay Cargo, which is responsible for 30 percent of global wafer transport, as reported by the US business news agency Bloomberg.
The corona pandemic and a stuck container ship in the Suez Canal have already revealed it: global supply chains are complex. Failures occurring thousands of kilometers away can have unforeseen consequences. Consequently, it is not surprising that the military conflict between the USA and Israel with Iran is also increasingly showing effects on the world economy after three weeks. However, those potentially affected initially remained relaxed: they were monitoring the situation but only saw long-term risks.
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Qatar is an important helium supplier
For Taiwan, with TSMC as the world's most important chip manufacturer, it is primarily the energy supply that worries the island republic. Taiwan imports 35 percent of its LNG from the Middle East and is 97 percent dependent on energy imports. The reserves, held for eleven days, are dwindling. Taiwan is currently seeking help from the USA, which could support LNG deliveries.
But it's not just that: important raw materials for chip production are also transported from the Persian Gulf to all over the world. For example, about a third of global helium production comes from Qatar. The noble gas cannot currently be delivered in the usual quantities due to the naval blockade by Iran. The EU is also affected, which, according to Bloomberg imports 40 percent of its helium from Qatar. In the common area, only Poland produces helium, but that covers just eight percent of the demand.
Are further chip shortages looming?
The IT industry cannot currently afford further bottlenecks in chip production: the huge demand for memory chips and processors from the builders of AI data centers is already leading to an acute shortage and sharply rising prices. Experts fear that the Iran conflict could further exacerbate this crisis if it does not end soon. The helium shortage could force manufacturers to prioritize AI chips even more strongly over standard chips.
(mki)
