Middle East Crisis: Situation Updates

• UAE – All ports operational
• Kuwait  
  • Shuwaikh operational,
  • Shuaiba Partially operational
• Saudi Ports – Operational
• Umm Qasr – Operational
• Hamad – Operational
• Bahrain – Non-Operational
• Oman
  • Sohar operational
  • Salalah Container Terminal Operational
  • Duqm Partly Operational
• Beirut – Operational
• Umm Qasr – Operational  
• Aqaba - Operational

• We see increasing Dwell times on impacted ports
• We expect increase of offloads/transshipments and are being monitored closely
• MSC, CMA CGM and Hapag Lloyd have announced they will end journeys early, omit ports or return back
• We are monitoring the situation to handle diversions with customers
• Vsls diverted so far
  • CMA CGM - CMA CGM Nevada & CMA CGM Don Pascuale
  • MSC - MSC Clorianda, MSC Ilenia & MSC Viola
  • HAPAG LLOYD - Seaspan Ganges 

• MSC has stopped booking acceptance for Gulf on their Falcon service until further notice
• On 3rd March MSC declared End of Voyage for all shipments located ashore or at Sea and destined for the Arabian Gulf. Shipments will be diverted to another port deemed safe subject to $800/Container mandatory charge and any other charges that may arise.
• CMA CGM stopped acceptance to reefer & DG bookings
• CMA CGM has stopped accepting any bookings to/from BH, KW, IQ, QA, KSA (except JED, KAP) and AE (except KLF & FUJ)
• CMA CGM has activated Clause 10 with regards to the diversion of cargo on Vsls CMA CGM Nevada and CMA CGM Don Pascuale, giving cargo owners 7 days to decide on the fate of their cargo
• 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), exceptions will be made for critical foodstuff, pharma and other essential goods
• Maersk has also suspended all DG cargo movement to/from Isreal, rest remains open
• Maersk / COSCO / ONE and YML have also stopped/suspended bookings to/from ME
• Main liners are still accepting bookings from Europe & Americas Eastbound to the Red Sea
• 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
• All carriers have now officially halted/suspended any transit via Hormuz Strait due to security reasons and are not accepting any bookings to/from or via the Gulf Ports

• 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 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.

• MKD Vyom
• Skylight
• Athe Nova
• Herkules Star
• Ocean Electra
• Unknown vessel(East of Fujairah)
• Safeen Prestige
• Iranian Warship sunk off Sri Lankan coast

• 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
• Solutions via alternative ports available with limited capacity, but will increase in coming days with more clarity 

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

• Oman / MCT – operational
• UAE / DWC, DXB, AUH – limited operations only, expected to reopen
• Qatar / DOH – not operational, expected to reopen
• Saudi Arabia –airports operational
• 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 increases 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: Airfreight rates to Middle East region have been suspended, rate levels to other regions will be updated on regular basis including temporary adders
• Airfreight rate originating from Europe, Asia and Americas will be subject to temporary adders on lane level
• Fuel surcharges subject to increase

• UAE customs is operational

• Beirut Port , airport & Customs Operational - No Disruptions

• Air Customs – opened for clearance on 2/Mar evening, so we have cleared shipment for the last 2 days – few shipments pending as certain approval needed
• Shuwaikh Sea Port customs – all pending cleared
• Shuaiba Sea Port customs – shipment pending and Customs has only opened up today
• Customs Head Office Working on 30 percent staff

• Hamad International Airport: Operations on-going/ normal as of now
• Hamad Port: Operations on-going/ normal as of now
• Abu Samra Border: Operations on-going/ normal as of now

• Bahrain Airport Services: Operation suspended and only medical items and food stuff allowed for deliveries subject to authorities approval
• Khalifa Bin Salman Port: Operation suspended and only medical items and food stuff allowed for deliveries subject to authorities approval
• King Fahad Causeway: Normally operating as of now

• Airport: 
  • All customs centers in Oman are functioning as normal
  • Oman customs approved transit clearance processing from sea ports and airport
• Seaport:
  • All customs centers in Oman are functioning as normal
  • Oman customs approved transit clearance processing from sea ports and airport

• BGW, EBL and BSR Airpots / UQ: CC working normally in Iraq
• IKB border with Turkey: CC working normally in Iraq

What is the current status of the Strait of Hormuz and how does it affect commercial shipping?

The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed due to attacks and the expiry of marine insurance cover, forcing shipping lines to avoid the corridor and divert to alternate ports.

Are carriers terminating voyages and discharging at alternative ports?

Yes. Several carriers are ending voyages early and discharging cargo at safer ports, requiring shippers to arrange onward movement from the designated discharge location.

What options exist for containers stuck en route to Europe/US or gated in at Gulf ports?

Depending on carrier instructions, containers may be collected, redirected to an operational port such as Sohar or Jeddah, or re-exported via permitted alternative ports.

Will trades outside the Middle East, such as transatlantic or Oceania, be affected?

Yes. Global network displacement and container imbalances will create knock-on effects on other trades, including Oceania, over time.

Are surcharges and rate increases expected, including for cargo already on the water?

Yes. Emergency surcharges and higher bunker charges are already being applied, with broad rate increases expected across multiple trades.

Is Salalah, Khor Fakkan, or Sohar a viable routing option?

Yes. These ports are being used as alternatives and their operational status has improved, allowing selective discharge and onward routing.

Could lines drop Middle East-bound containers at African Cape ports?

Carriers may choose safe early-discharge ports when necessary, and customers must retrieve cargo from whichever safe port the line designates.

Which airspaces and hubs are currently available?

UAE and Oman are partially open, while several regional airspaces remain closed. Limited freighter movements and selective passenger belly-space availability are improving uplift options.

Can cargo stuck in Doha or UAE be moved by road to another gateway for uplift?

Yes. Road-feeding to Saudi Arabia or Oman is used to access open air gateways for onward uplift.

Are secondary air hubs or charter options available?

Yes. Charters via Fujairah and routings such as air-to-Cyprus with onward barge to Lebanon are operational alternatives.

Is DHL deploying its own network flights to bypass affected Middle East hubs?

Yes. DHL-controlled aircraft are being used to move cargo directly between Asia, Europe, and the US without relying on restricted Gulf transit points.

What is the pricing outlook for air and express shipments?

Prices are rising due to limited capacity, higher fuel costs, and increased demand created by ocean disruptions.

Are temperature-controlled and pharma shipments supported?

Yes. Pharma and perishables are prioritized when capacity is available under appropriate handling conditions.

Is a bonded land bridge via Saudi or Oman available into the GCC?

Yes. Bonded road movements from Saudi and Oman enable access to GCC destinations, supported by simplified transit processes.

What is the current status of GCC borders?

Borders are open with some congestion at specific crossings, while customs prioritize FMCG, pharma, and temperature-controlled items.

Is a Europe-to-GCC multimodal solution via Egypt possible?

Yes. A proven multimodal route combines ocean to Egypt, ferry into Saudi Arabia, and road delivery into GCC markets.

Will transits via Jeddah or Oman cause double duty for shipments with exemptions?

No. When cargo remains under bonded transit, duty applies only upon final import clearance, preventing double duty.

How can JAFZA-origin cargo be exported via Oman?

Cargo can transit via Oman using simplified documentation, with duty-free movement preserved until final clearance.

Is there enough road capacity to support diverted flows?

Yes. Significant trucking capacity and customs coordination are in place to manage increased volumes from air and ocean diversions.