Latest developments across the region
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to reshape vessel deployment and cargo flows across the wider Middle East and South Asia.
Carriers have diverted Gulf‑bound ships to alternative hubs, including Khor Fakkan, Fujairah, Sohar, Salalah, and ports in India and Southeast Asia, resulting in temporary congestion and increased reliance on feeder networks and long‑haul trucking.
Industry intelligence suggests that while congestion remains manageable, pressure on bunker supply is growing across Asia, with China currently the least affected. Network adjustments, combined with elevated security risks, continue to place strain on port operations, inland transport capacity and overall schedule reliability.
This update consolidates the latest carrier advisories, port conditions, and vessel intelligence as of 17 March 2026. Earlier updates can be found through this link.
Carrier updated response
Most major carriers continue to limit bookings to and from ports impacted by the Gulf closure.
Maersk has resumed accepting reefer bookings into Jeddah, King Abdullah, and Aqaba, while dry cargo is accepted for Sohar and Khor Fakkan. The carrier has also introduced temporary instructions for the return of empty containers, requiring customers to redirect empties to alternative hubs such as Salalah, Sohar and Jeddah, rather than their usual Gulf locations.
ONE is applying similar empty‑equipment policies, redirecting returns for cargo destined for the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia (Jubail), Iraq and Oman (Duqm).
Hapag‑Lloyd is facilitating container handling via designated gateway ports, enabling customers to either pick up empties free of charge at surplus locations across the Gulf or arrange cross‑border delivery on merchant haulage. If containers move beyond the original destination country, empties must be returned to the initial discharge port.
CMA CGM has reopened both export and import bookings for countries including Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The carrier is deploying multimodal corridors via Jeddah, Sohar, Aqaba and Mersin to maintain cargo connectivity.
Situation at impacted ports
Operations across most regional ports remain stable, although selected locations continue to experience targeted disruptions.
A recent fire near the crude export terminal in Al-Fujairah, following the interception of a drone, briefly interrupted some loading activities. These operations have since resumed, though authorities have issued a navigational warning regarding intermittent GPS signal interference offshore.
In Bahrain, vessel movements have restarted but are constrained due to limited pilot availability. APM Terminals has resumed operations, and all other major ports in the region report normal performance.
Vessel situation and risks
Security incidents remain a significant operational concern.
On 11 March, the container vessel ONE Majesty (6,724 TEU) reported impact damage approximately 25 nautical miles northwest of Ras Al Khaimah, resulting in a small hull breach but no injuries.
On 12 March, the Source Blessing, operating on an intra‑Middle East service, was struck by falling missile debris near Jebel Ali, causing a fire onboard. The crew remained unharmed, and the situation was contained.
The latest situation concerning impacted vessels remains relatively unchanged. The latest number of vessels stuck in the Persian Gulf is calculated at 124 vessels with 168,000 TEUs. The list of potentially affected vessels in the Persian Gulf can be found here. Due to a rise in Global Navigation Satellite System interference, data can show inaccurate positions.
Kuehne+Nagel continues to monitor the situation closely with timely updates on SeaNews and the Kuehne+Nagel page Middle East situation - Kuehne+Nagel operations.
For the latest port and vessel statuses or situation updates, please refer to the seaexplorer alert map.
