Jeddah transshipments replaced by Salalah and Khor Fakkan routes; emergency freight charges remain in effect
Maersk has revised its cargo routing arrangements across the Gulf as continuing disruption in the Middle East affects regional shipping and inland operations.
Under the latest operational measures, cargo destined for Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE will no longer be transshipped through Jeddah. Instead, shipments will move through Salalah and Khor Fakkan, before being transported by landbridge to Sharjah and connected to Maersk’s intra-Gulf feeder network.
Jeddah routing changes
Maersk has also revised the handling of cargo booked for Jeddah where the final consignee is located in another Middle Eastern country.
Such cargo will no longer be discharged at Jeddah. Instead, it will be routed through Khor Fakkan to the consignee’s country. The carrier said additional charges may apply because of the revised routing.
Saudi Arabian import and export cargo will continue to move through Jeddah, including shipments destined for Riyadh and Dammam via Maersk’s existing Jeddah landbridge.
Selected landbridge bookings remain suspended
Alternative landbridge connections continue to operate from Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE via Salalah and Khor Fakkan, while cargo from Iraq can also move through Aqaba.
However, Maersk has temporarily suspended several landside booking options. These include UAE and Qatar cargo moving via Jeddah and Oman, as well as bookings from Jeddah to the UAE, Oman and Qatar.
The carrier is also not currently accepting landside bookings from Salalah and Sohar to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar.
Ocean booking restrictions continue
Maersk continues to maintain restrictions on selected ocean cargo movements.
For dry cargo, bookings to and from the UAE, except Khor Fakkan and Jebel Ali, remain suspended, along with bookings involving Iraq and the Saudi ports of Dammam and Al Jubail.
Dry cargo bookings remain available to and from Jeddah, King Abdullah Port, Jordan, Salalah, Sohar, Lebanon, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Israel.
Khor Fakkan remains open for imports, while Jebel Ali continues to be served through the landbridge solution. Restrictions remain broader for dangerous goods and out-of-gauge cargo.
Emergency freight charges maintained
Maersk is continuing to apply Emergency Freight rates to affected cargo in transit.
The charges are:
US$1,800 per 20-foot dry container
US$3,000 per 40-foot dry container
US$3,800 for reefer, special and dangerous goods containers
An additional US$1,000 per container applies to vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. This charge is levied on top of the Emergency Freight rate and reflects increased costs, including insurance premiums and crew risk compensation.
Maersk said it is continuing to closely monitor developments and warned that its operational arrangements may be revised further as conditions in the region evolve.
The latest changes underline the continuing impact of Middle East disruption on Gulf shipping routes, transshipment hubs, landbridge connectivity and freight costs.
