Commercial shipping and air freight operations across the Middle East continue to face severe disruption as the US-Israel war with Iran entered its fourth day on Tuesday (March 3).
As the conflict escalates, carriers are implementing operational changes at quick notice, creating further uncertainty across global supply chains.
Uniserve and teams across GB Global are in continuous contact with airlines, carriers, overseas offices and security advisers. We are actively assessing alternative routings and monitoring all carrier notices, airspace restrictions and maritime security alerts. Our priority is to update you on the status of your orders in transit and to propose solutions where possible.
Air freight: Suspensions deepen
Global air cargo capacity has fallen sharply week-on-week as carriers suspend services and reroute aircraft around the conflict zone. Analysts warn of potentially significant rate increases on Asia-Europe lanes if sweeping cancellations continue.
While Emirates began a phased resumption of a “limited number” of flights on Monday, most commercial airlines serving the Gulf region remain suspended until at least 1500hrs UAE time on Tuesday.
The situation remains highly volatile: several inbound services from India were forced into holding patterns or turned around in the early hours of Tuesday following a fresh wave of missiles and drones targeting UAE airspace.
Qatar Airways remains fully suspended following the complete closure of Qatari airspace. Turkish Airlines has cancelled all services to major Gulf hubs through March 3, with high-conflict zone routes suspended until at least 6 March.
Etihad has suspended regular commercial services until at least March 4.
Ocean freight: Closures and surcharges
Major carriers have now suspended all transits through the Strait of Hormuz.
COSCO has instructed all vessels in the region to seek safe anchorage. MSC has suspended all new Middle East bookings and, on Monday, Maersk implemented an Emergency Freight Increase.
CMA CGM has introduced an Emergency Conflict Surcharge, suspended all Suez Canal and Red Sea transits, issued a reefer booking embargo for the region and is rerouting services via the Cape of Good Hope – extending transit times by up to two weeks.
Leading container lines had tentatively begun returning services to the Red Sea before the conflict erupted – a fragile recovery that Houthi threats have now almost certainly ended for the rest of 2026, analysts say.
Maritime insurers cancel war risk cover in Gulf as Iran conflict disrupts shipping
Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed and vessels rerouted, sending some freight costs surging
Leading maritime insurers began to cancel war risk cover for vessels operating in the Gulf as the escalating Iran conflict disrupted shipping and sent some freight costs surging.
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