International trade continues to flow through the Middle East, but the way cargo is moving has changed significantly.
Renewed attacks on commercial shipping, restricted operating areas and heightened security concerns have prompted carriers to redesign services across the Gulf and Red Sea. Instead of a single disruption centred on the Strait of Hormuz, the industry is now managing a much broader network challenge affecting ports, feeder services, inland transport and international air routes.
For shippers, resilience increasingly depends on understanding how individual carrier networks are adapting rather than simply monitoring events in one location.
Alternative gateways are under growing pressure
As services are diverted away from traditional routes, cargo is being redistributed across the region.
Jeddah’s role as a gateway for onward GCC traffic has diminished following restrictions on transit movements, prompting carriers to make greater use of King Abdullah Port, Dammam, Fujairah, Khor Fakkan, Sohar and Salalah. These ports remain vital contingency gateways, but increasing diversion volumes are placing growing pressure on terminal capacity, trucking and inland distribution.
Importantly, disruption is often delayed. Cargo already at sea continues towards its planned destination, meaning congestion can continue to worsen even after carriers have stopped accepting new bookings for a particular route.
Choice matters more than ever
The latest disruption is producing increasingly different responses across the container shipping industry. Some carriers are favouring Saudi Arabian gateways, others are building services around Oman or the UAE, while hazardous cargo acceptance varies considerably between ports. As a result, routing decisions now depend on cargo type, available feeder services, inland transport options and destination markets as much as headline sailing schedules.
For shipping managers, confirming the complete routing, including transhipment ports and inland movements, has become essential before cargo is released.
The commercial impact extends well beyond freight rates. Higher bunker prices, emergency fuel surcharges, war-risk premiums and additional feeder and trucking costs are increasing the overall cost of moving freight. Even where ocean rates soften, these underlying operating costs continue to support a higher price floor across many international trade lanes.
Air cargo has avoided the severe disruption seen at sea, but recovery has stalled. European safety guidance continues to restrict operations across parts of Iran, Iraq and Lebanon, while airlines are taking longer routings around higher-risk airspace. That increases flight times, fuel burn and crew costs, reducing aircraft utilisation on Europe–Asia services even where overall capacity appears available.
Looking ahead
The immediate outlook remains one of continued operational uncertainty rather than widespread service failure.
Cargo is still moving through the region, but supply chains have become significantly more dynamic. Carrier routing decisions, port congestion, security assessments and energy markets will continue to shape transit times and logistics costs over the coming weeks.
Businesses that review shipments individually, allow greater planning flexibility and maintain close communication with logistics partners will be best placed to minimise disruption while maintaining reliable international supply chains.
Global Forwarding combines global freight expertise with local operational knowledge to help customers adapt quickly to changing market conditions. From alternative routing and multimodal transport to customs coordination and shipment visibility, we work proactively to keep supply chains moving safely, efficiently and reliably.
