Middle East Supply Chain Update

19 March 2026 - 6 PM (CET)

Transport infrastructure across parts of the Middle East continues to face operational limitations, impacting global air, ocean and overland logistics.

Rhenus is actively monitoring the situation and coordinating with carriers and partners to support service continuity wherever possible.

Current air freight update

Global air freight operations remain constrained due to ongoing airspace limitations and adjusted airport schedules.
Middle Eastern carriers have begun gradually resuming limited freighter operations as authorities approve select cargo repositioning and repatriation flights. While this marks an initial step toward restoring services, the global air cargo capacity shortage remains significant as major backlogs of air shipments to and from the region have been building up.

A broader ripple effect across the global air freight network unfolds, reducing available capacity worldwide:

• Longer flight times as airlines avoid affected areas following the partial and full closure of regional airspace since 28 February 2026. 
• Service suspensions of several Middle Eastern carriers, reducing available flight options and capacity. 
• Re-routing of transshipments that would normally be handled through major Middle Eastern freight hubs, leading to congestion and backlogs at alternative air cargo hubs.

Meanwhile, oil markets are under pressure due to disrupted exports through the Strait of Hormuz, and high volatility driven by uncertainty around the duration of the escalation. This impacts the fuel prices of airlines and carriers. 

Results:

• Potential shipment delays, extended transit times, and uncertainty regarding cargo uplift will remain for the foreseeable future. 
• Limited cargo capacity availability, not only in the Middle Eastern hubs, but also in other major hubs, as traffic flows are beginning to shift. 
• Air freight rates are responding to these market pressures, with various trade lanes experiencing double-digit percentage increases. In addition, most airlines have either announced, introduced or increased war risk and fuel surcharges in response to the rising fuel costs and evolving operational situation.

Current ocean freight update

Global ocean freight operations remain impacted by ongoing security concerns and operational constraints in the Middle East:

• Transit & Regional Access: Transit through the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal remain subject to heightened risk and precautionary measures; vessel movements remain significantly reduced and carefully managed.
• Alternative routing & service adjustments: Following an initial phase where carriers suspended most calls to ports in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), services have gradually resumed on a limited basis to selected gateway ports, including Khor Fakkan Port (UAE), Jeddah Port (Saudi Arabia), and Sohar Port (Oman). Inland trucking is used for both pre- and oncarriage transportation.
• Operational impact: The rerouting of cargo is contributing to port congestion at alternative hub locations, causing delays. In addition, vessel schedule changes and broader network disruptions continue to impact transit times and reliability across adjacent trade lanes.
• Cost impact: Additional surcharges, including war risk and other security-related charges, have been implemented on affected trade lanes. Further, fuel prices have increased, impacting bunker adjustment factors (BAF) and contributing to higher overall transport costs

Current overland transport update

European overland transport networks are also experiencing the effects of capacity constraints in air and ocean freight. Specifically:

• Higher demand for landbased alternatives is causing congestion on major European corridors.
• Additional documentation and procedural checks along selected Eastern European and Turkish routes may cause delays in border processing.
• Carriers continue to adjust their routes in response to capacity shifts and infrastructure bottlenecks.

General operational and infrastructure considerations

Across multiple locations, temporary restrictions and schedule changes at transport facilities are contributing to reduced or changed operating windows at airports and ports, slower processing times and delays in cargo handling as well as increased demand for inland logistics and warehousing capacities.

What we can do for our Customers

To support your supply chain during this period, Rhenus has reinforced several contingency solutions in the UAE:

• Expanded use of alternative multimodal routes, including sea-air combinations and landbridge services via neighboring markets, enabling routing flexibility to avoid areas with operational or security constraints. As part of this approach, we have developed the Rhenus Gulf Link Service to maintain reliable access to the region.
• Increased warehouse readiness and strategic stock placement for urgent cargo flows.
• Tailored planning of lastmile delivery across affected regions.

These measures are intended to minimize disruptions and maintain service continuity as far as possible.

To help manage potential delays, we recommend you to:

• Share shipment forecasts where possible to support capacity planning.

• Confirm bookings as early as possible to help secure available space.

• Evaluate alternative transport solutions, such as intermodal transport, dedicated full-truck loads and charter solutions.

• Remain flexible with delivery and pickup arrangements.
• Plan for extended lead times and potential rerouting, even if conditions appear stable locally.

As the situation remains dynamic, changes may occur at short notice. We will keep you informed of any developments relevant to your business.

If you have any questions, please contact your local Rhenus representative.

Direct Road Freight: Seamless trucking from any European country straight into our Rhenus Hub in Mersin, Türkiye.

Ocean & Air Freight: Global cargo from major seaports and airports flows directly into the Istanbul and Mersin airports and ports.

Seamless customs options: Fast, simplified processing to keep cargo moving.

At our secure facilities in Istanbul and Mersin, Türkiye, shipments are rapidly prepared for onward transport through streamlined handling, consolidation and cross‑docking.

Depending on real‑time border conditions, cargo moves via Syria, or Iraq. Our experts continuously assess security, stability and processing times to choose the safest and fastest route.

Serving key destinations across the Gulf: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain.
Our solution provides full door-to-door delivery from the EU to these destinations, with the same service available in reverse from the Gulf to the EU.