Operational Update: Middle East Shipping Impacts

Air freight impacts

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Air cargo networks remain severely constrained and highly reactive.

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• Dubai (DXB/DWC):
  
  • Operating at reduced capacity following drone strike and airspace disruption
  • Significant backlog, delays, and restricted carrier access
  • Recovery underway, but throughput remains limited
• Sharjah (SHJ): Elevated as the primary diversion airport for UAE cargo
• Doha (DOH), Bahrain (BAH), and Kuwait (KWI): All severely restricted or non-operational

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Current air carrier conditions:

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There is currently no stable rate environment with airfreight surcharges increasing up to 70% on key routes. Capacity is currently being allocated on a case-by-case basis only.

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Ocean freight impacts

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Ocean networks remain under critical pressure with no viable Gulf access. Routing remains highly controlled and must be evaluated on a shipment-by-shipment basis.

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• Strait of Hormuz & Bab el-Mandeb: Effectively closed to commercial carriers without military escort
• Arabian Gulf Ports: Operational but inaccessible for new cargo movements

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Key Disruptions:

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• Fujairah: Oil-loading suspended; high-risk maritime zone
• Khor Fakkan: Severe congestion and restricted discharge windows with 10+ day delays
• Salalah: Partial stabilization, but unreliable for feeder operations
• Sohar: Operating under ongoing security monitoring

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Primary Alternatives:

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• Jeddah (KSA): Strengthening as the primary sea contingency hub
• Aqaba (Jordan) & Port Said (Egypt): Continued use for rerouted cargo

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Ground freight impacts

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Surface transport remains operational but is becoming increasingly constrained.

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• Capacity shortages across Oman, Fujairah, and Saudi corridors
• Kuwait–Iraq corridor: High-risk with delays and heightened inspections
• Increased reliance on ground transport as air and ocean options continue to tighten around the region.

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Current Impacts: Extended transit times, reduced equipment availability, and increased cost pressure.

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Additional holiday impacts

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Middle East public holidays are now beginning which is introducing an additional layer of disruptions.

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• Customs clearance delays expected across all borders
• Reduced government and banking capacity
• Slower documentation processing and clearance timelines

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For planning purposes, a 24-72-hour buffer should be built into all shipments. Documentation and other approvals should be immediately expedited.

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What you need to know

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ICAT is actively monitoring these developments and will continue to provide important updates regarding shipping impacts across the Gulf Region.

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For shipments into the Middle East, it is recommended to:

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• Plan shipments earlier than standard lead times
• Maintain routing flexibility across modes and regions
• Secure capacity in advance wherever possible
• Prioritize critical shipments for controlled execution

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ICAT continues to actively support clients through our real-time control tower oversight, dynamic routing and contingency planning, secured capacity across key alternative hubs, and on-the-ground coordination in these high-risk and restricted environments.

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