MIDDLE EAST OPERATIONAL UPDATE AND IMPACTS:
AIR FRIEGHT & SEA FREIGHT
GAVA Australia is closely monitoring the rapidly escalating conflict in the Middle East following major military action over the weekend.
The situation has caused significant disruption to global air freight and containerised shipping networks, with immediate flow-on impacts to capacity, routing and transit times.
Below is a summary of confirmed disruptions and current carrier responses:
AIR FREIGHT:
Current Airspace and Airport Status:
Airspace over several Middle Eastern countries is currently closed or heavily restricted, including Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Major air freight hubs impacted by closures or operational suspension:
- Dubai International Airport (DXB)
- Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
- Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Airlines and Cargo Operations:
The following airlines have suspended or significantly adjusted operations:
- Emirates (Dubai): All flights to and from Dubai temporarily suspended, with Dubai International Airport sustaining damage during Iranian strikes. Emirates has advised that services will only resume once it is safe.
- Qatar Airways (Doha): Operations suspended pending safe reopening of airspace.
- Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi): All flights cancelled as the situation evolves.
- Cathay Pacific: Services, including freighter operations at Dubai’s Al Maktoum Airport, suspended or rerouted.
Other Airlines (Multiple): Additional international carriers have cancelled or rerouted services due to the loss of safe overflight corridors.
SEA FREIGHT:
Ports and Route Impacts:
Heightened security risks are affecting maritime operations across key regional waterways, increasing operational uncertainty for carriers and shippers.
- Strait of Hormuz: Strategic choke point increasingly risky for commercial transits.
- Red Sea and Suez Canal corridor: Operational risk remains elevated; alternative routing is being used.
Shipping Carrier Updates:
Major container carriers have implemented emergency measures in response to the escalating situation:
- MSC: Vessels currently in or bound for the Gulf region redirected to safer areas; bookings for Middle East traffic suspended.
- Hapag-Lloyd: Suspended vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Maersk: Services including MECL and ME11 are now scheduled to transit around Africa rather than via the Suez Canal.
- CMA CGM / ANL: Vessels in or bound for the Gulf to find shelter. Suspended Suez Canal transits, vessels rerouted via the Cape of Good Hope.
Sea Freight Delays and Broader Effects:
- Heavy delays are expected on shipments currently transiting the Middle East.
- Some carriers anticipate flow-on congestion at major transshipment hubs such as Singapore and Port Klang in the coming days and weeks.
- Reduced Middle East capacity and rerouting pressures may affect freight schedules, equipment (i.e. container) availability and routing options globally
GAVA Australia will continue to monitor developments closely and provide further updates as confirmed information becomes available. Our focus remains on maintaining transparency and minimising delays wherever possible.
For additional information or assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us at
GAVA Australia.