When tensions between the US and Iran escalated and conflict zones began affecting the Middle East, freight forwarders across the Gulf were thrown into one of the toughest tests in recent years. Shipping lanes came under pressure, airspace restrictions created uncertainty, and cargo owners feared delays, losses, and rising costs.
The first week was the most difficult.
Perishable cargo became the biggest challenge. Fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, flowers, dairy products, and pharmaceutical shipments rely heavily on daily air freight connections. But with multiple flight cancellations, route diversions, and temporary airspace closures, the skies felt almost like a no-fly zone.
Logisticians/Forwarders had to act fast.
Instead of relying on traditional direct routes, they switched to alternative modes and new corridors almost overnight. Cargo originally booked on direct flights was rerouted through safer hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Riyadh, and Jeddah. In many cases, shipments were flown into operational airports and then trucked across friendly borders to their final destinations.
This is where the industry showed real grit.
For perishables, rerouting alone was not enough. Businesses had to source locally or regionally to keep shelves stocked and avoid shortages. Buyers in the UAE and across the GCC turned to local farms, domestic warehouses, and nearby suppliers in Oman and Saudi Arabia. Regional partnerships became a lifeline while international air freight networks adjusted.
Governments and businesses moved quickly. In Abu Dhabi, reports suggested over 800 vehicles were mobilized and more than 6,000 tonnes of fresh produce and food supplies were transported to maintain supply continuity.
Sea freight was no easier.
With concerns around the Strait of Hormuz and regional maritime security, some vessels slowed transit, changed schedules, or delayed departures. Non-urgent cargo was shifted to longer ocean routes, while some forwarders adopted sea-air combinations to balance speed and cost.
The supply chain became a chessboard.
Every move mattered. Freight forwarders had to think in real time—balancing transit time, temperature control, customs clearance, trucking availability, insurance risks, and customer expectations.
Yet despite the disruption, cargo kept moving.
That is because the logistics industry thrives under pressure. The strongest supply chains are not always the cheapest—they are the most nimble. Forwarders who adapted quickly, sourced smartly, and used trusted corridors kept trade alive when the map changed overnight.
Now, as normalcy slowly begins to return and routes reopen, the pressure is easing—but the stress can still be felt across the industry. Rates remain unstable, schedules are fragile, and every forwarder knows the next disruption could be one headline away.
The wheels are turning again… but the engines are still running hot.
Sources:
Reuters – Only five ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz in 24 hours amid disruption.
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/only-five-ships-pass-through-strait-hormuz-24-hours-2026-04-24/
TI Insight – Alternative air freight routes used as Gulf airspace closures impacted logistics.
https://ti-insight.com/briefs/alternative-air-freight-routes-as-gulf-airspace-closes/
Gulf News – UAE food supply chain adapts to shocks, keeping supply steady despite tensions.
https://gulfnews.com/business/retail/uae-food-system-adapts-to-shocks-supply-steady-despite-tensions-1.500485770
Khaleej Times – Abu Dhabi’s response to keep trade and food supplies moving amid disruption.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/how-abu-dhabi-kept-trade-moving-amid-disruption
Gulf News – Gulf trade faces fresh pressure as Hormuz disruptions test global supply chains.
https://gulfnews.com/business/markets/gulf-trade-faces-new-shock-as-hormuz-disruptions-test-global-supply-chains-1.500517094