News

Middle East Conflict – Impact on Global Freight and Supply Chains

4th March 2026

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The escalating conflict in the Middle East is beginning to disrupt several key global transport corridors, affecting both air and ocean freight operations.

Airspace restrictions, shipping route changes and rising security concerns are forcing airlines and shipping lines to adjust operations across the region. As a result, businesses moving cargo internationally are already experiencing delays, operational disruption and increased costs.

Below is an overview of the current situation and its implications for global supply chains.

Air Freight Disruptions

Air freight is being affected by widespread airspace closures and restrictions across parts of the Middle East.

Countries including Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have either closed or restricted civilian airspace following the escalation of the conflict.

Several airlines have suspended or diverted services, forcing aircraft travelling between Europe and Asia to take longer alternative routes. This has increased flight times and fuel consumption while reducing available cargo capacity on some trade lanes.

Industry reporting indicates that thousands of flights have been cancelled or diverted, creating disruption across global aviation networks and delays for air cargo shipments.

Ocean Freight and Maritime Disruption

Ocean freight operations across the region are also being significantly affected.

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime trade corridors, has seen major disruption as the security situation has deteriorated. Traffic through the area has dropped sharply, with many vessels waiting offshore or avoiding the region entirely.

Several shipping lines have implemented precautionary measures and operational changes.

COSCO has suspended new bookings for Middle East routes and advised vessels in the region to seek safe anchorage while the situation is assessed.

MSC has suspended new Middle East bookings, while Maersk has implemented an Emergency Freight Increase covering shipments moving to and from several Gulf destinations due to the disruption.

CMA CGM has also introduced an Emergency Conflict Surcharge, suspended certain regional routings and restricted some bookings, while rerouting some services via the Cape of Good Hope, extending transit times by up to two weeks.

Current Market Observations

Heightened tensions involving Iran are affecting several key maritime and air freight corridors, including the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb and Red Sea routes.

While global trade flows remain operational, carriers are implementing precautionary measures as the security situation continues to evolve.

Current market observations include:

  • Increased security monitoring for vessels transiting the Gulf region
  • Avoidance of certain Red Sea and Suez Canal routes
  • Vessel rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope on some services
  • Airspace rerouting across parts of the Middle East
  • Potential schedule volatility across impacted corridors

Impact on Shipments and Transit Times

As carriers adjust operations, disruption is already being felt across global supply chains.

Businesses moving cargo internationally are currently experiencing vessel rerouting, extended transit times, reduced transport capacity on some routes and schedule volatility across affected corridors.

Even if conditions stabilise quickly, the backlog created by these disruptions may take time to clear.

Cost Implications

The ongoing situation is unfortunately affecting freight costs. Several ocean carriers have introduced war-risk and conflict-related surcharges, while longer shipping routes and increased security requirements are pushing operating costs higher across the industry.

Maritime insurers have also begun withdrawing or increasing war-risk insurance cover for vessels operating in parts of the Gulf, adding further pressure to shipping costs.

At the same time, rising oil prices linked to the conflict are beginning to affect fuel costs across the transport sector.

We are also hearing from road hauliers regarding increases in fuel costs, which could lead to higher road transport charges as prices continue to rise.

Alternative Routing Options

With traditional routes affected, logistics providers are exploring alternative solutions to maintain supply chain continuity.

Depending on origin, destination and cargo type, this may include adjusting carriers, rerouting shipments via alternative hubs or using multimodal transport solutions.

In certain situations, routing through neighbouring countries such as Oman, with onward sea or air connections, may provide an alternative depending on local operating conditions and service availability.

How Beckchoice Can Support Your Shipments

Situations like this demonstrate how quickly global supply chains can be affected by geopolitical developments.

At Beckchoice, we are closely monitoring developments across the region and maintaining regular communication with our global partners, carriers and logistics networks.

Where disruptions occur, we work with customers to review available options and keep shipments moving wherever possible. This may include advising on route changes, assessing transit time impacts or identifying alternative solutions where appropriate.

If you have shipments moving through affected regions or would like to discuss alternative routing options, please contact the Beckchoice team.

 

Please note: the information provided in this article is based on publicly available sources and industry updates and is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of 4 March 2026. The situation remains fluid and developments may change quickly.

References

Information referenced in this article is based on publicly available reporting, carrier advisories and industry updates, including: