Overview

Ongoing regional security tensions around the Strait of Hormuz continue to impact logistics networks across the Gulf region. Airfreight capacity remains constrained, while ocean freight schedules are unstable due to port congestion, carrier booking suspensions, and the rerouting of cargo through alternative gateways.

Land transport through Saudi Arabia (via Jeddah Port) has become the primary corridor supporting regional cargo movements.

Airfreight Situation

United Arab Emirates

• Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, and Saudia Airlines continue operating flights connecting Dubai with major global hubs.
• Limited export acceptance is available from Dubai to major global hubs, except Basra, Iraq.
• Import acceptance remains limited but is gradually improving from major hubs, except Basra.
• Freighter services operated by TK and Silk Way West Airlines (7L) are operational from DWC for both imports and exports.

Abu Dhabi

• Air cargo operations are primarily handled by Etihad Airways (EY).
• Abu Dhabi Airport is currently clearing transshipment cargo accumulated since 28 February 2026.
• Limited export routes are open, with flight schedules confirmed every 48 hours.

Saudi Arabia

Airlines operating include Saudia, Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines.

• Riyadh – King Khalid International Airport: Operational, but airfreight capacity remains constrained and unstable.
• Jeddah – King Abdulaziz International Airport: Operational with reduced import capacity and selective booking acceptance.
• Dammam – King Fahd International Airport: Operations remain heavily disrupted with frequent flight cancellations.
• Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa Cargo have suspended freight operations to Dammam until further notice.

Qatar

• Airlines operating: Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines.
• Airfreight operations in Doha remain heavily disrupted.
• Only limited flights operate under special corridors or emergency approvals.
• Normal commercial air cargo operations have not yet resumed.

Bahrain, Kuwait & Iraq

• Commercial cargo operations at Bahrain and Kuwait airports remain suspended.
• Export and import corridors are currently operating via Jeddah Airport.

Oman

• Muscat Airport remains stable, with commercial cargo flights operating under limited capacity.
• Oman Air Cargo continues operations but has suspended services to Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar.

Ocean Freight Situation

UAE – Jebel Ali

• Export containers previously delivered to Jebel Ali have been requested to be removed by shippers.
• Containers are now being trucked to Sohar, Salalah, or Jeddah for onward connection.

Import Routing Alternatives

• Sohar
• Salalah
• Jeddah (primarily for cargo from Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Americas)

Cargo arriving in Jeddah is then trucked onward into the UAE and neighbouring markets.

UAE East Coast

• Imports:
  -  Europe–UAE bound cargo is being truncated in Jeddah or Salalah, cleared under bond, and delivered to the UAE consignee via land transport.
  -  Far East and Indian Subcontinent cargo bound for the UAE/GCC is being truncated in Khorfakkan, cleared under bond, and delivered to the final consignee by land transport.
• Exports:
  -  Export bookings from Khorfakkan and Fujairah to global destinations remain limited due to heavy congestion caused by end-of-voyage cargo discharges.
  -  Loose cargo and containerised cargo from the UAE and GCC are being moved to Jeddah for export after stuffing at Jeddah Port.

Bahrain

• Operations at Khalifa Bin Salman Port remain suspended indefinitely.
• All cargo is being routed via Jeddah and transported by land through the Saudi-Bahrain Causeway.

Oman Ports

• Limited and unstable export bookings from Sohar and Salalah to global destinations.
• Intra-Gulf services, including Umm Qasr, remain suspended.

Latest Update – 13 March 2026

• Maersk and MSC have suspended acceptance of export bookings from Sohar and Salalah until further notice due to network disruption and port congestion.

Qatar

• Hamad Port is operational only for handling previously discharged import cargo.
• Export bookings remain suspended and vessel traffic has significantly reduced.
• Imports are being rerouted through Sohar, Salalah, Khorfakkan, Fujairah, and Jeddah.
• Export cargo is being routed via Jeddah and moved inland by land transport.

  

 

 

 

   

  

 

 

 

   

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Kuwait

• Shuwaikh and Shuaiba Ports have reopened with restricted operations for vessels already in port.
• Import and export bookings remain suspended.
• Export cargo is being routed via Jeddah and moved inland by land transport.

Iraq

• Umm Qasr Port is closed.
• Khor Al Zubair Port is operational on a case-by-case basis.

Land Transport & Border Operations

The following borders remain fully operational for cargo movement in and out of the following countries:

• UAE
• Saudi Arabia
• Oman
• Qatar
• Kuwait
• Bahrain
• Jordan
• Iraq
• Egypt

Key Market Impact

• Airfreight capacity remains limited with elevated freight rates across the region.
• Ocean freight schedules remain unreliable due to congestion and carrier booking suspensions.
• UAE East Coast ports are experiencing significant terminal congestion.
• Saudi Arabia has become the primary logistics transit corridor supporting regional cargo movements.

We will continue monitoring the situation closely and provide further updates as operational conditions evolve.

CONTACT US

Please contact our experts for further advice. We will keep you closely informed.

   

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