Reports from IAM’s Core Members Management Board representatives for the Middle East, together with contributions from IAMTrusted members DASA International Movers and Move One, highlight the evolving challenges faced by international moving companies in the region and around the world.
Read the latest commentary report from Craig Reilly of DASA here.
Read the latest country-by-country report from Move One here.
Shankar Ram of IAMTrusted Delight International Movers and Ankit Bhalla of IAMTrusted Leader Relocations have also provided the latest guidance for members with shipments to and from the Middle East as follows:
- Origin and Destination Services: Origin and destination services have resumed across much of the region. The situation has improved since the early phase of the conflict, and service is possible in most cases.
- Ocean Freight Imports: Ocean freight imports into the region are moving through contingency ports. Some carriers have reopened import bookings using bonded land bridge options via Jeddah, Sohar, Salalah, Khor Fakkan, and Fujairah.
- Ocean Freight Exports: Shippers should expect delayed transit times due to cross-border bonded movements to contingency ports, along with delayed loading and sailing due to congestion. Agents are recommended to plan for increased freight rates in terms of war risk surcharges and inland bonded transportation costs.
- Airfreight Imports: Airfreight imports are operating on a restricted basis. Capacity has recovered from the initial shock but remains well below normal. The main driver behind this is that the majority of international carriers have suspended operations to the impacted Middle East countries, with the only option being local airline carriers.
- Airfreight Exports: Airfreight exports remain possible, but rates remain elevated. Routing depends on where the regional airlines are flying (limited destinations and airports).
- Port Conditions: Most Middle East ports are operational, but port operation alone does not mean normal shipping conditions have returned. The main constraint remains vessel arrivals into these ports, which have not occurred since the start of the conflict and blockage of the Strait of Hormuz.
- Future Prospects: Even in the event of a peace agreement, it is important to note that the formal reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will not immediately result in the normalization of shipping operations in the region. Before commercial transit can safely resume, clearance of maritime hazards — including mines — will be required, followed by the likely deployment of naval escorts to restore confidence in safe passage. In parallel, carriers are expected to prioritize clearing vessels that have remained stranded in the region since the onset of the conflict. The restoration of regular sailing schedules and service reliability is expected to be gradual, with normalization likely taking several weeks to a few months following a peace treaty and the reopening of the strait.
IAM Member Impact: IAM members are encouraged to confirm surcharges and container routing details with their freight provider and regional partner before proceeding.
- For ocean freight imports to the region, it is strongly recommended to negotiate with the carrier a container drop-off point at the final destination port and to allow the carrier to directly manage the logistics.
- For ocean freight exports, agents are recommended to plan for increased freight rates in terms of war risk surcharges and inland bonded transportation costs.
- For airfreight imports, members are recommended to consider local regional carriers flying directly into the destination country.
- For airfreight exports, members are recommended to consider airfreight to major airports and to check with local carriers headquartered in the region (Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, etc.).
- Additional costs are likely to include war risk surcharges and inland trucking to/from alternative ports, ranging in some cases to between $5,000 and $10,000 per container in additional surcharges. Airfreight rates also remain elevated in a range of $5–$8/kg in additional charges. These are approximate and should be reconfirmed.
- As a practical guide, two to three weeks of additional transit time should be considered for ocean shipments due to local trucking and port congestion, while airfreight should be expected to face five to 10 days in delays.