MENA Port Pulse

Shuaiba Port is operating under normal conditions with Security Level 2 protocols in place, but is experiencing congestion with reported delays of 4 days.

Shuwaikh Port is operating under normal conditions with Security Level 2 protocols in place, but is experiencing congestion with reported delays of 2 days.

Recent information suggests ongoing operations at Sohar Port. Alara Resources dispatched a copper concentrate shipment from Sohar Port on July 24, 2026. A Maersk operational update from July 22, 2026, also listed Sohar as a load port within its network. While the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, the port is clearly operational, albeit with likely disruptions.

Jeddah Port is operational but experiencing severe congestion in May 2026 due to the Strait of Hormuz closure and its role as a primary landbridge hub absorbing diverted cargo volumes.

Commercial bookings suspended and airspace closed due to regional conflict.

Aden port is physically operational but under significant pressure due to the regional conflict. Shipping companies have imposed war-risk surcharges of up to $3,000 per container on Yemen-bound cargo. The disruption of Jebel Ali and regional hub ports has further complicated supply routes into Yemen, forcing carriers to seek costlier alternative routings.

Mina Salman port has been closed following an Iranian missile strike on the port vicinity. All major carriers have suspended commercial bookings to Bahrain due to the Strait of Hormuz closure.

Under active military attack; heavy infrastructure damage and fires reported.

Under Houthi control with restrictive security protocols; UN mission ending.

Qatar's primary container gateway has been cut off as a direct consequence of the Strait of Hormuz crisis. With no alternative sea access to the Gulf, vessel calls have ceased entirely. Cargo destined for Qatar is being rerouted overland via the Saudi land border using TIR customs procedures, or through Jeddah and Sohar as feeder relay points.

Salalah is operational for ocean bookings (dry, reefer, OOG). However, landside trucking from Salalah to UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar is temporarily paused. DG cargo is suspended. Transhipment to non-upper Gulf countries remains accepted.

King Abdullah Port remains fully operational as a key Red Sea alternative unaffected by the Strait of Hormuz closure. All major carriers accept bookings. It operates alongside Jeddah as one of the two main Saudi Red Sea gateways absorbing diverted cargo volumes from suspended Upper Gulf ports.