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The war in the Middle East is affecting key international transport corridors and is having a global impact on air and sea freight as well as land transport. Here you can find the latest updates.
Last updated: March 19, 2026
Air Freight
Due to only slightly eased airspace restrictions in the Middle East, as well as ongoing limitations at key air cargo hubs such as Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai, the situation in international air transport remains tense.
Some airlines – including Emirates SkyCargo and Etihad Airways – have partially resumed operations; however, significantly reduced capacity is still available. Across the industry, substantial shortages in global air freight capacity are currently expected.
Sea Freight
The Strait of Hormuz remains heavily restricted. Several shipping lines have introduced risk or war-related surcharges for transports to and from the region. As this narrow waterway is a key route for global oil and gas shipments, the current disruptions have led to rising crude oil prices. This is already resulting in higher fuel costs in both air and sea transport.
Gebrüder Weiss continues to closely monitor the situation and remains in constant coordination with airlines, shipping lines, and network partners.
March 4, 2026
Air Freight
Air traffic in the Middle East remains restricted due to ongoing airspace closures. Emirates has resumed limited flight operations since the evening of March 2, prioritizing existing cargo; however, many services remain suspended until further notice. Etihad has suspended flights to and from Abu Dhabi. Qatar Airways plans to resume operations only once airspace clearance is granted by the relevant authorities. A full normalization of flight schedules is currently not foreseeable.
March 2, 2026
Sea Freight
The Strait of Hormuz, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, is one of the world’s most critical maritime routes for global energy and cargo flows. The region is currently experiencing significant disruption. Some vessels have been temporarily halted or rerouted, and numerous ships remain positioned in the area. Several carriers have suspended transit through the region or are operating via alternative routes, particularly around the Cape of Good Hope. In isolated cases, voyages have been terminated early.
At the same time, security-related incidents in the Persian Gulf may contribute to rising crude oil prices. Any sustained increase in oil prices would likely lead to higher fuel costs, potentially impacting overall transportation expenses.
Air Freight
Airspaces in Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain are currently closed. Emirates SkyCargo and Qatar Airways have suspended their flights until further notice. Several airlines have temporarily suspended flights to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Additional destinations, including Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, Erbil, Dammam, and Tehran, are also affected. As a result, flight diversions, delays, and temporary capacity constraints are occurring.
Land Transport
The closure of the border between Turkey and Iran may affect land transport to Central Asia. Freight flows could increasingly shift to the Middle Corridor (Turkey – Georgia – Azerbaijan – Kazakhstan – China). As a result, capacity constraints and extended transit times are possible along this route.
The duration of the conflict and the potential for further escalation remain uncertain. The overall impact on international supply chains is currently difficult to assess.
Expected Impact on Shipments
Recommendations
Gebrüder Weiss is closely monitoring developments in coordination with shipping lines and airlines and is continuously assessing alternative routing options.
For shipment-specific questions or required adjustments, please contact your usual Gebrüder Weiss representative.
