** Shares in shipping groups rise in early trade as analysts flag upside risks to freight rates from Red Sea disruptions, Iran tensions and likely prolonged shift away from Suez Canal

** ABG Sundal Collier analysts say Israel's strikes on Iran will delay Red Sea reopening, boosting container and car carrier demand, while reduced Iranian crude and LPG exports shift to compliant fleets, pushing tanker rates higher

** Arctic Securities analyst Kristoffer Barth Skeie adds that rising geopolitical risks in the region are expected to disrupt trade flows, making a reversal through Suez Canal less likely

** Additionally, Jefferies notes that China-US trade truce is expected to restore "regular way" volumes, paving way for significant rise in freight rates

** It adds that stable freight rates and signs of recovering China-US demand could support the sector, with limited near-term capacity and ongoing Red Sea route avoidance maintaining tight supply and pricing power

** Shares in container giants Danish Maersk MAERSKb.CO and German Hapag-Lloyd HLAG.DE are up 4.2% and 1.6%, respectively

** Tankers Frontline FRO.OL, Torm TRMDa.CO and Euronav CMBT.BR rise 5.8%, 5.1% and 2.5%, respectively

(Reporting by Jesus Calero)

((jesus.calero@thomsonreuters.com))