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Newsletter RegistrationExecutive Summary
The main operational challenge remains reduced access to Upper Gulf destinations. Several carriers have suspended or limited acceptance, while selected alternatives outside the immediate risk area remain available. For FCL, additional DG related restrictions are shown directly in the main matrix via markers to keep the view compact and easy to scan.
Red Critical / Suspended Yellow Restricted / Partial restrictions Green Operational
Sea Freight Bookability FCL and LCL
Track the latest booking options across key Middle East ports. The FCL matrix below shows the general booking status by carrier. Additional DG related restrictions are flagged directly in the relevant cells with markers.
FCL Status
| Port / Destination | Hapag | Maersk | MSC | ONE | Cosco | Evergreen | CMA CGM | Last update |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE (Jebel Ali) | Red | Red | Red | Red | Red | Red | Red | 25 Mar 2026 |
| UAE (Fujairah, Khor Fakkan) | Red | Red | Red | Red | Green* | Red | Green* | 25 Mar 2026 |
| Oman (Sohar) | Red | Red | Red | Red | Red | Red | Red | 25 Mar 2026 |
| Oman (Salalah) | Red | Green** | Red | Red | Red | Red | Red | 25 Mar 2026 |
| Kuwait (Shuwaikh, Shuaiba) | Red | Red | Red | Red | Red | Red | Red | 25 Mar 2026 |
| Qatar (Hamad) | Red | Red | Red | Red | Red | Red | Red | 25 Mar 2026 |
| Bahrain (Khalifa Bin Salman) | Red | Red | Red | Red | Red | Red | Red | 25 Mar 2026 |
| Saudi Arabia (Dammam, Jubail) | Red | Red | Red | Red | Red | Red | Red | 25 Mar 2026 |
| Saudi Arabia (Jeddah, King Abdullah) | Green** | Green** | Green* | Red | Green* | Red | Green* | 25 Mar 2026 |
| Jordan (Aqaba) | Green** | Green** | Green* | Red | Green* | Red | Green* | 25 Mar 2026 |
| Iraq (Umm Qasr) | Red | Red | Red | Red | Red | Red | Red | 25 Mar 2026 |
Remarks
- * DG limited: DG acceptance possible only under specific restrictions or selected conditions checked prior booking.
- ** DG restricted: acceptance for harmless cargo only.
LCL Status
| Port / Destination | LCL Status | Remarks | Last update |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE (Jebel Ali, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah) | Red | 25 Mar 2026 | |
| Oman (Sohar) | Red | 25 Mar 2026 | |
| Oman (Salalah) | Red | 25 Mar 2026 | |
| Kuwait (Shuwaikh) | Red | 25 Mar 2026 | |
| Qatar (Hamad Port) | Red | 25 Mar 2026 | |
| Bahrain | Red | 25 Mar 2026 | |
| Saudi Arabia (Dammam) | Red | 25 Mar 2026 | |
| Saudi Arabia (Riyadh via Jeddah) | Green | DG limited | 25 Mar 2026 |
| Saudi Arabia (Jeddah) | Green | DG limited | 25 Mar 2026 |
| Jordan (Aqaba) | Green | DG limited | 25 Mar 2026 |
| Iraq (Umm Qasr) | Red | 25 Mar 2026 |
Surcharge & Cost Impact
Due to the ongoing disruption in the Middle East, carriers have introduced various crisis related surcharges to compensate for higher operational risks, rerouting, additional handling, and increased voyage costs. The wording and application of these surcharges differ by carrier and remain highly dynamic. This includes, but is not limited to, War Risk Surcharge, Emergency Conflict, Emergency Surcharge, Emergency Contingency Charge and an Emergency Bunker Surcharge. For all surcharge details applicable to your shipments, please get in touch with your regular contact within Leschaco.
Air Freight into the Middle East
Air freight into key Middle East hubs remains partially possible and offers a reliable alternative for time critical shipments. This section provides a quick snapshot of operational status at major airports, and routing options. The matrix below highlights which gateways are fully operational, where limitations may apply, and how to best leverage available air freight solutions.
| Country | Airspace Status Status | Flight Availability |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates (UAE) | Green Open | Emirates (DXB/DWC) and Etihad (AUH) are operating to international destinations, although way below pre-war capacity. European or Asian commercial carriers have suspended their regular services until further notice. |
| Qatar | Red Open | Qatar Airways is operating numerous flights to international destinations, although way below pre-war capacity. European or Asian commercial carriers have suspended their regular services until further notice. |
| Saudi Arabia | Green Open | Selected flight options available into RUH, JED and DMM. European or Asian commercial carriers have suspended their regular services until further notice. |
| Bahrain | Red Open | Airspace open as of April 9th. Phased recovery with limited flight operations. Gulf Air plans to operate selected flights into 15 key destinations – mainly within the region and to South Asia. European or Asian commercial carriers have suspended their regular services until further notice. |
| Israel | Red Closed | All flights suspended until further notice. |
| Kuwait | Red Closed | All flights suspended until further notice. |
| Jordan | Green Open | Limited services available into AMM by Middle East carriers. European or Asian commercial carriers have suspended their regular services until further notice. |
| Lebanon | Green Open | Although officially open, BEY has extremely limited flight activities. European or Asian commercial carriers have suspended their regular services until further notice. |
| Iraq | Red Closed | All flights suspended until further notice. |
| Iran | Red Closed | All flights suspended until further notice. |
| Oman | Green Open | Several flight options available into MCT. |
Alternative Transport Solutions by Leschaco
Recommended alternative routings and operational fallback concepts to keep cargo moving under current constraints.
Recommended Alternative Routings
Due to the ongoing booking suspensions and severe limitations on direct vessel calls to Upper Gulf ports, several alternative routing strategies have become essential to ensure continued cargo movement into the region. These alternatives are based on current carrier behavior and the increased use of safer regional hubs outside the high risk areas surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. The viability of each option depends on carrier availability, congestion at transshipment hubs, and feeder capacity, all of which remain highly volatile.
Hub Based Trucking via
Oman & UAE & Saudi Arabia Ports
Oman & UAE & Saudi Arabia Ports
UAE ports such as Jebel Ali, Fujairah, and Khor Fakkan serve as major regional logistics hubs and support cross GCC trucking into Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait.
Oman ports such as Sohar, Salalah, and Duqm provide strategic alternatives outside the Strait of Hormuz and are suitable for sea to land bridge combinations into UAE.
Saudi Arabia ports meanwhile have been established by several major shipping lines as hub with existing and workable Landbridge options into UAE.
Oman ports such as Sohar, Salalah, and Duqm provide strategic alternatives outside the Strait of Hormuz and are suitable for sea to land bridge combinations into UAE.
Saudi Arabia ports meanwhile have been established by several major shipping lines as hub with existing and workable Landbridge options into UAE.
Air Freight into the Middle East
Air freight remains a reliable alternative when sea freight is restricted. Major hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Riyadh remain operational. Capacity varies by lane but is generally more stable than sea freight and is especially suitable for urgent, high value, or production critical cargo.
Full Direct Truck Door to Door
Europe to GCC
Europe to GCC
Direct truck moves from European origin to final destination in the Middle East are possible without intermediate port or hub transshipment. It has to be outlined that capacities are limited. Based on the routing through various Middle East countries and crossing borders, customs handling is complex. Transit times cannot be guaranteed, delays may occur.
Trucking from Istanbul
A land based alternative connecting Europe to Gulf markets is a short sea move from North Europe to Turkey, unloading container in Istanbul and then truck directly to Middle East countries. Capacities are limited, the routing Turkey / Iraq / Jordan / Saudi Arabia → UAE / Oman / Qatar involves complex customs handling. Transit times cannot be guaranteed, delays may occur.
Need support for an individual routing case?
For customer specific questions, urgent alternatives, or support with a concrete shipment, please contact your responsible sales representative directly.
Archive
Access previous information hub versions and supporting files.
April 7th, 2026
