Middle East Crisis: Situation Updates

• UAE – All ports operational
• Kuwait – Both Shuaiba & Shuwaikh operational
• Saudi Ports – Operational
• Umm Qasr – Operational
• Hamad – Operational
• Bahrain – Still Not operational  
• Oman – Sohar & Salalah operational, Duqm Not operational
• Beirut – Operational
• Umm Qasr – Operational  

• CMA service suspended passage through the Suez Canal now halted until further notice, vessels being rerouted via the Cape of Good Hope.
• Gemini and Maersk standalone services will not route via the canal as previously announced.
• SeaLead confirmed will continue to go via Bab Al Mandab from today

• MSC has stopped booking acceptance for Gulf on their Falcon service until further notice
• CMA stopped acceptance to reefer & DG bookings
• CMA CGM is accepting booking to ME and RS for Dry only, this is subject to ECS from March 2nd and GRI from March 8th (below)
• ESL has mentioned business continuity
• RCL has suspended all new bookings to ME/Gulf until further notice
• Effective immediately Maersk has suspended all reefer, dangerous / special cargo acceptance in and out of UAE, Oman, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia until further notice
• Maersk has also suspended all new bookings between the India Subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka) and the Upper Gulf markets of UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia (Dammam and Jubail only). This suspension does not apply to other trade corridors
• Maersk / COSCO / ONE and YML have also stopped/suspended bookings to/from ME
• Most carriers have stopped but the likes of ESL, CMA CGM, Evergreen, Hapag Lloyd (only inbound) continue to accept bookings but at this moment they are still working on the contingency solution for all bookings to
• Main liners are still accepting bookings from Europe & Americas Eastbound to the Red Sea

• No information or declarations from Carriers

• Surcharges & Cost Implications: As the situation in the Middle East continues to evolve, carriers may introduce additional charges to compensate for increased operational and security‑related risks. These may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• War Risk Surcharge: Given the heightened regional security environment, carriers and insurers may introduce or adjust war‑risk premiums. These may apply to cargo already in transit as well as to new and future bookings.
• Emergency Surcharge (ES): At least one major carrier has announced an Emergency Conflict Surcharge, and additional carriers may implement similar measures depending on how operational conditions develop.
• Bunker Adjustment Charge (BUC): With the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and suspended transits through the Bab Al Mandab Strait, many vessels are now rerouting via significantly longer alternatives, including the Cape of Good Hope. Rising oil prices driven by these disruptions are expected to push global bunker costs upward, and carriers are likely to pass on these additional fuel‑related expenses.

• No attacks on container vessels reported
• So far 3 tankers have been hit
• MKD Vyom - 28th Feb.
• Skylight – 1st March
• Athe Nova – 2nd March

• Expect rising spot rates, application of GRI, War Risk and other related surcharges
• Expect rising Bunker cost with the closure of the strait oil prices will increase and the bunker eventually as a result
• Anticipate congestion in Gulf ports and Asian transshipment hubs depending on rerouting of current cargo
• Equipment imbalance likely, with shortages of empties at a later stage

• Closed airspaces: Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, Syria, Yemen
• Open airspace in the region:  Saudi Arabia, Jordan (partially), Lebanon, Oman

• Oman / MCT – operational
• UAE / DWC, DXB, AUH – limited operations only, expected to reopen 03 MAR
• Qatar / DOH – not operational
• Saudi Arabia –airports operational (RUH drone incidents disrupt)
• Bahrain – not operational

• Middle Eastern Carriers will have to clear backlogs before accepting new bookings
• Air carriers have restricted operations to Middle East destinations, capacity constraints

• Due to foreseeable impact on jet fuel price, carriers started to introduce FSC increases
• Indirect impact: Routing changes on EU-AP and AP-EU lanes lead to increased operating cost
• Alternative routings of GCC bound shipments will attract additional lead times and rate adjustments

• Airspace and airport closures led to significant impact on global airfreight capacity
• Short to mid term rate levels on all sectors to/from Middle East will see increases
• Indirect impact on other global network lanes unavoidable due to limitation of available capacity

• Rates adjustments: MTS rates to Middle East region have been suspended, rate levels to other regions will be updated on regular basis
• EU-AP and AP-EU rates will see increases due reduced capacity, main impact on South East Asia  
• Fuel surcharges subject to increase

• Overall, situation remains positive for road movements within GCC countries in addition to DGF’s reach to Jordan, Iraq, Egypt and Libya.
• Land borders between Gulf countries are fully operational though current priority is being given to FMCG, Pharma and Temp-controlled shipments overall impacting transit time for general goods 
• Coming days, we expect increased border inspections and security protocols leading to increased transit time.

• Borders of UAE, OM, KSA Jordan and Egypt operating normally currently. Expected increase in border activities with Strait closure
• Borders of Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain have slight congestion with priority to FMCG, Pharma and Temp-Controlled trucks over general goods. 

What is the current status of the Strait of Hormuz?

Hormuz is effectively closed, with shipping lines instructed to avoid it following threats of attack. Many vessels are anchored outside the area awaiting safe routing instructions. 

Are carriers still accepting bookings into Gulf destinations?

Very few. Most carriers have stopped accepting Gulf bookings; some exceptions remain for Jeddah. CMA and MSC have halted bookings into higher risk ports. Capacity is extremely limited. 

How long are the delays for Asia → Europe ocean shipments?

Cape of Good Hope rerouting adds 10–14 days. Additional delays may occur from port congestion, vessel bunching, and equipment imbalances. 

Can Jeddah be used as an alternative gateway for the GCC?

Yes. Jeddah remains operational and can serve as a gateway for onward trucking into UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, and other GCC destinations. Transit is 2–3 days into UAE from Jeddah. 

Is the Red Sea still passable for container vessels?

Almost all major carriers have suspended Red Sea transits. Only a few small niche or China flagged vessels are still attempting passage, but these represent very limited capacity. 

Do we expect surcharges for ocean shipments?

Yes. Carriers have applied warrisk and emergency surcharges, including for cargo already on the water. Fuel related surcharges may also increase as the crisis continues. 

What happens to vessels already en route to Jebel Ali or Dammam?

Many will be diverted to safe ports or anchor offshore until routing clarity is established. DHL is monitoring each shipment and coordinating alternative discharge + trucking options. 

What is the status of Gulf airspace and which gateways remain open?

Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar airspace were closed during the session, while Dubai/DWC/Abu Dhabi enabled limited repatriation and partial cargo departures. Saudi Arabia (Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam) and Oman (Muscat) remained open and served as the primary operational gateways. 

Are DHL Express pickups and deliveries still operating in the Gulf?

DHL Express continues global collections. Saudi Arabia and Oman are fully operational; UAE is partially open; Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar are restricted until airspace access improves. DHL is deploying land/air bridges to restore flows. 

How is DHL mitigating airfreight disruptions for China → Europe?

DHL maintains strong China–Europe capacity via its own controlled network, avoiding Middle East transit points. Delays mainly affect shipments previously routed via Gulf hubs; alternative routings and charters are being deployed as needed. 

Can customers track reroutings and delays in real time?

Yes. Any flight/route changes automatically appear in myDHLi, which mirrors DHL’s operational systems and provides uptodate transit milestones. 

Are special cargo lanes (temperature controlled, timecritical) impacted more severely?

Capacity constraints affect all lanes, but DHL prioritises pharma, medical devices, perishables, and other critical cargo as gateways reopen. Cases are handled individually to ensure correct uplift and compliance. 

Can freight be rerouted via Jeddah → GCC by road?

Yes. DHL has confirmed viable land bridge routes from Jeddah into UAE, KSA East, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq. Documentation and transit bond requirements apply. 

Is multimodal via Egypt (Cairo → GCC) viable?

Yes. DHL highlighted Egypt as one of the most stable alternatives: cargo can fly into Cairo and be trucked to the GCC. This route avoids conflict affected airspace and ports. 

Are road freight networks within the GCC still open?

Yes. GCC corridors, including Saudi UAE connections, remain open. Some congestion is expected as more cargo shifts from sea and air to road.