As the moving industry in the Middle East region adapts to new routing arrangements, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) is planning a new service linking Europe with Middle East ports using trucking across Saudi Arabia and smaller vessels in the Persian Gulf.
IAM’s Core Members Management Board representatives for the Middle East, Ankit Bhalla and Shankar Ram, are reporting a gradual shift in confidence, with many moving companies actively planning and moving exports via contingency ports. The reworking of the logistics process including cross-border coordination, bonded transport, alternative port handling, and new regional partnerships. This rework marks a significant operational shift for the industry, particularly in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Traditionally, export shipments have moved through each country’s own ports, and very few movers have experienced routing export shipments through another country’s port.
In an advisory on the new European service, Geneva-headquartered MSC said the first voyage would commence this week from Antwerp in a loop that also includes stops in Germany, Italy, Lithuania, and Spain. Vessels will cross the Suez Canal into the Red Sea and stop at the ports of Jeddah and King Abdullah. Trucks will then be used to reach Dammam, where feeder vessels would connect to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, Iraq, and Kuwait. The drive from Jeddah to Dammam, passing through Riyadh, is about 800 miles. Other shipping lines including Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk have announced multimodal “land bridge” solutions for cargo across the region.
Readers can view the latest moving and relocation updates on the situation in the Gulf from IAMX Validated member Move One together with commentary from Craig Reilly of IAMTrusted member DASA International.
IAM Member Impact: Depending on the duration of the conflict with Iran, the land bridge provides new solutions for members with shipments to and from the region.
Source: Transport Topics, Move One, & DASA International