Logistics in the Middle East. Current Situation and Routes

The situation in the Middle East remains unstable and is impacting air, sea, and road transport. Below, we provide the latest updates and available alternative routes to support your shipment planning.

Air freight

Current situation

• Russian airlines have suspended all flights to the region; according to the Ministry of Transport, services to the UAE and Israel will resume once conditions are safe.

• The European aviation regulator EASA has extended its warning on the risks of flights to the Middle East until March 27.

• Flight cancellations have caused congestion at hubs in Istanbul and Tashkent, extending delivery times to 7–9 days.

• On March 16, Dubai authorities suspended flights from all foreign carriers to Dubai Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum Airport (DWC) following a drone incident in a fuel tank.

• Emirates, Etihad and flydubai continue operating some flights.

• Dubai Airport is recovering from regional restrictions and has reached 40–45% of normal capacity, mainly through flights operated by national carriers.

• Capacity is limited (mostly narrow-body aircraft), and transit times have increased.

Alternative routes

• Dubai - > transit via Malé - > Moscow, Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) (approximately 7–9 days).
• port of origin - >  Istanbul - >  Malé - >  Moscow, Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) (approximately 7–9 days).

Sea freight

Current situation

• Attacks on vessels, including oil tankers and container ships, have been reported in the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf.

• According to agents and media, some countries continue to transit the strait with transponders switched off under coordination with local authorities.

• The route via Oman through the ports of Sohar and Salalah is currently limited: Sohar has stopped accepting new export shipments, prioritizing vessels already in port and import flows, and Salalah has officially suspended current operations.

Alternative routes

• Due to the closure of Jebel Ali, cargo can be transported overland to the port of Khorfakkan (on the opposite side of the Strait of Hormuz) and then shipped onward to ports in Russia. Many global carriers are using this port to redirect their flows.

• Overland transport from Jebel Ali to the port of Jeddah with subsequent loading onto a direct vessel to Novorossiysk (approximately 10–15 days port-to-port), or via transshipment through Egypt and Turkey (approximately 20–25 days port-to-port).

Road freight

Current situation

In the current unstable environment, overland routes that were previously not used for shipments to Russia are becoming relevant.

Alternative routes

Road transport from the UAE to Russia via:

UAE - > Saudi Arabia - > Jordan - > Syria - > Turkey - > ferry to Russia. Shipments are moved without transshipment along the route. The estimated transit time is approximately 25 days.

Important note

We are closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East and ready to respond quickly to any changes in routes or transport conditions. Routes and transit times may change across all modes of transport due to limited resources and increased demand. Cargo insurance in this region requires an individual approach. The situation in the region remains dynamic.