Middle East supply chain situation 1 March

We are following the escalating conflict in the Middle East closely, and we are coordinating with our partners and local authorities on all operations. The safety of our employees, operations and continuity of customer supply chains are our key priorities. As a result of the conflict, air and sea operations in the region are experiencing significant disruption.

Airspace restrictions and no fly zones have prompted several airlines to suspend or reroute services. At the same time, ocean carriers have paused sailings through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice due to security concerns.
These developments are affecting regional routings, transit times and overall network stability.

Air freight impact

Several Middle Eastern airspaces have been temporarily closed or are subject to restricted access while authorities evaluate safety conditions. As a result, international carriers have suspended selected services or introduced diversions to avoid affected corridors.

These changes are leading to extended transit times and irregular schedules.
As the situation remains uncertain, further adjustments to flight schedules and network coverage may occur at short notice. Customers should anticipate potential delays or even cancellations, space constraints, and short-notice rate adjustments in the coming days and weeks.

Global air freight implications

The current disruption is expected to have broader implications beyond the Middle East region:

Reduced Global Capacity: Aircraft redeployments, route extensions, and service suspensions are tightening available capacity across key trade lanes.
Far East & Europe Trade Lanes: Capacity constraints are anticipated particularly on Far East-Europe and Asia-Middle East corridors.
Rate Volatility: We expect upward pressure on air freight rates due to capacity limitations.
War Risk Surcharges: Airlines are introducing or reviewing introduction of war risk surcharges applicable to shipments routed through or near affected regions.
Jet Fuel Costs: Rising geopolitical tensions may impact global oil markets, potentially leading to increases in jet fuel prices and subsequent fuel surcharges.

Sea freight impact

With the Strait of Hormuz now blocked, all vessel movements through the waterway have been suspended. This is already affecting sailing patterns and may lead to delays and rerouting across multiple services.

Carriers calling ports in the Arabian Gulf are making ongoing adjustments to ensure vessel and crew safety. DSV teams are in close and continuous dialogue with our ocean partners to assess the impact and maintain service continuity. We will communicate any material updates on affected shipments as soon as confirmed.

Customers with cargo already in transit or with upcoming shipments to or from the region are encouraged to contact their local DSV representative for guidance tailored to their specific movements.

Road freight impact

Road freight operations across the region continue, with services largely maintained at this stage. However, customers should anticipate potential border congestion, customs processing delays, and transit time variability as conditions evolve. Increased reliance on alternative routing and heightened security controls may lead to temporary schedule adjustments and cost fluctuations.

The situation remains dynamic and is being monitored closely to ensure rapid response and controlled execution.

Contract Logistics impact

Contract Logistics facilities across the Gulf region remain operational, with business continuity measures actively in place. Warehousing and distribution activities continue, however, with some suspensions, and some irregularity in inbound and outbound flows may occur. Contingency planning, workforce coordination, and transport flexibility have been reinforced to support critical supply chains.

We remain focused on maintaining operational resilience and service continuity as the situation develops.

DSV response and contingency planning

We have activated contingency planning measures to:

Safeguard secured capacity allocations where possible.
Diversify carrier options across alternative gateways.
Protect service continuity on critical Far East trade lanes.
Support Middle East shipments via flexible routing solutions.
Provide proactive communication on rate and surcharge developments.

Our global teams are working continuously to mitigate disruptions and deliver tailored solutions based on shipment urgency and cargo profile. Recommended customer actions
To help you navigate the current disruption and maintain supply chain continuity we recommend the following actions:

Share updated shipment forecasts to support capacity planning.
Confirm bookings as early as possible to secure space.
Cargo owners should double check with their insurance partners on any restrictions or limitations for the region.
Consider flexible routing and transit time alternatives where feasible.
Vessels diverting to alternative ports may face congestion. Please consider these effects in your safety stock assessment.
Engage with your local DSV representative for shipment-specific guidance.

We will continue to issue updates as the situation evolves.

For further information or support regarding your shipments, please contact your local DSV representative.