Dear Valued Customer,
Freight Systems continues to closely monitor the evolving logistics environment across the GCC freight market. While major ports in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman remain operational, ongoing security developments around the Strait of Hormuz, Red Sea and Bab-el-Mandeb are contributing to vessel-routing adjustments, increased use of alternative gateways and changes in transportation capacity. Customers may experience schedule changes, longer transit times, selective booking acceptance, equipment constraints and additional operational surcharges on certain trade lanes.
Regional Port & Gateway Update
| Country / Gateway | Current Situation | Customer Advisory |
| UAE – Jebel Ali | Port and terminal operations remain operational. Vessel calls and berthing continue on a selective basis and remain dependent on Strait of Hormuz access, carrier routing and security assessments. | Reconfirm actual vessel call, berth schedule, routing, equipment and space with the carrier before cargo dispatch.
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| UAE – Khor Fakkan / Fujairah | Operational and increasingly important as alternative gateways. Higher volumes may lead to congestion. | Allow additional time for discharge and onward movement. Confirm trucking capacity before booking. |
| UAE – Khalifa / Abu Dhabi | Port and terminal operations remain operational. Vessel calls remain subject to individual carrier rotations, Strait of Hormuz accessibility and prevailing navigation/security conditions. | Reconfirm vessel call and service rotation before cargo dispatch. |
| Saudi Arabia – Jeddah | Operational and serving as an important Red Sea and regional gateway. Increased transit volumes may cause congestion. | Allow additional time for transit cargo, customs processing and onward connections. |
| Saudi Arabia – Dammam / Jubail | Operational; connectivity remains dependent on Upper Gulf vessel routing. | Reconfirm booking acceptance, schedules and equipment before dispatch. |
| Oman – Salalah | Operational and continuing as an important alternative/transshipment gateway. | Diversion volumes may impact vessel connections and inland capacity. Allow additional buffer time. |
| Oman – Sohar | Operational and supporting UAE and Upper Gulf connectivity. | Confirm bonded road capacity and onward GCC transportation in advance. |
| Oman – Duqm | Operational contingency gateway. | Primarily suitable for selected project, bulk and specialised cargo, subject to operational feasibility. |
*Important: When using an alternative gateway, both ocean acceptance and onward transportation should be secured before cargo dispatch. Port discharge does not necessarily guarantee immediate onward movement.
Strait of Hormuz & Red Sea
Navigation conditions remain fluid and subject to ongoing operational and security assessments. Vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea/Bab-el-Mandeb may continue to be affected by service adjustments, alternative routing and individual carrier decisions. Customers should be prepared for:
- Schedule changes or port omissions at short notice
- Extended transit times and alternative ports of discharge
- Delays to connecting vessels and inland transportation
- Selective cargo and booking acceptance
- Shorter freight-rate validity
Ocean Freight Market
Ocean freight capacity remains under pressure on selected Middle East trades due to vessel rerouting, port congestion, longer rotations and equipment imbalances. Given the current market volatility, spot ocean freight rates may have limited validity typically 5–7 days and potentially shorter on highly volatile trades. Rates, surcharges and space should therefore be reconfirmed at the time of booking and before cargo dispatch. Depending on the trade lane and routing, customers may also encounter:
- Emergency/contingency surcharges
- War-risk and insurance-related costs
- Fuel adjustments
- Rerouting or change-of-destination charges
- Alternative gateway and landbridge costs
- Storage and demurrage exposure
- Equipment repositioning costs
Equipment availability and empty-container positioning should be reconfirmed before collection. Booking confirmation should not be considered final until routing, equipment, space and applicable charges have been reconfirmed.
Air Freight Market
Air freight capacity has improved on several trade lanes; however, market conditions remain dynamic. Customers may continue to experience:
- Limited uplift on selected routes
- Routing and connection changes
- Longer connection times
- Short rate validity
- Premium charges for urgent cargo
For time-critical shipments, early booking is strongly recommended. Where operationally feasible, customers should also consider split shipments, alternative hubs and multimodal solutions. Spot air freight rates may remain valid for only 1–5 days on capacity-constrained or disrupted trade lanes, with particularly tight markets subject to daily reconfirmation.
GCC Road Freight & Landbridge
Cross-border road transportation continues to play an important role in maintaining GCC connectivity and supporting alternative ocean gateways. Higher cargo volumes may place pressure on:
- Truck availability
- Border processing
- Customs transit documentation
- Bonded transportation capacity
For multimodal movements, customers should confirm the complete transportation solution including port discharge, customs transit, truck availability and border acceptance before cargo dispatch.
DG, Reefer & Specialised Cargo
Dangerous Goods, lithium batteries, chemicals, vehicles, temperature-controlled and other specialised cargo remain subject to operational approval based on commodity, routing, equipment and gateway restrictions.
Customers are advised not to dispatch specialised cargo until written acceptance for the complete routing has been received.
Key Market Development – China | Typhoon Dolphin
Typhoon Dolphin has disrupted logistics operations across parts of Eastern China, with Shanghai, Ningbo and surrounding areas experiencing temporary restrictions affecting port, airport and inland transportation.
The disruption may result in vessel delays, schedule changes, cargo rollovers and short-term terminal congestion as ocean operations recover. On the air freight side, flight cancellations and reduced capacity at key Eastern China gateways may lead to cargo backlogs, longer uplift times and tighter space availability. Heavy weather may also affect trucking, cargo delivery to terminals and export gate-in arrangements. The resulting short-term pressure on ocean and air freight capacity may lead to shorter rate validity and increased spot-rate volatility. Customers with cargo moving from Eastern China are advised to reconfirm bookings, vessel and flight schedules, space and equipment availability before dispatch, and allow additional transit-time contingency for time-sensitive shipments.
Stay Prepared
To help minimise potential disruption, customers are advised to plan and book shipments early, allowing additional time for possible changes in routing and transit schedules. Routing, space, equipment availability and applicable rates should be reconfirmed before cargo dispatch, with onward transportation secured in advance when alternative gateways are used. Where appropriate, alternative routing options through the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman may also be considered. DG, reefer and specialised cargo should be subject to prior operational approval, while cargo insurance and war-risk coverage should be reviewed based on the applicable routing and risk exposure. Timely collection of import cargo is also recommended to minimise potential storage, detention and demurrage costs.
Freight Systems continues to closely monitor developments across ports, vessels, airlines, borders and inland transportation networks throughout the GCC. Our teams remain available to support shipment-specific planning and identify suitable routing or multimodal alternatives based on cargo type, urgency and final destination. For the latest cargo acceptance, routing options and operational guidance, please contact your Freight Systems representative before dispatching cargo.
Regards,
Team Freight Systems
