DHL Update on Cargo Flows as Pressure Builds in the Strait

Why It Matters

The disruption threatens global trade flows, raising costs and delays for critical goods, especially pharmaceuticals, and could reshape logistics strategies in the Middle East and beyond.

Key Takeaways

• Gulf airlines operating at 20‑60% of pre‑crisis capacity
• DHL launching 100‑tonne B747F service Liège‑Jeddah
• Port congestion rising; Sohar limited to 3,000 TEU
• Jet fuel scarcity hampers charter flights
• Trucking capacity strained by rerouted container flows

Pulse Analysis

The Strait of Hormuz has long been a chokepoint for oil and container traffic, and the recent escalation of drone and missile attacks has turned it into a strategic liability for shippers. With two Cosco vessels forced out of the Arabian Gulf and uncertainty over any vessels re‑entering, carriers are rerouting cargo through alternative ports, inflating transit times and insurance premiums. DHL’s briefing underscores how geopolitical risk can quickly cascade into operational bottlenecks, prompting firms to diversify routes and reinforce regional hubs to safeguard supply‑chain continuity.

Air freight remains the most reliable segment in the region, yet capacity is still far below pre‑war levels. Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways are operating at roughly 60%, 40% and 20% of their normal schedules, respectively, while jet‑fuel shortages curtail ad‑hoc charter services. In response, DHL is deploying a dedicated B747F service between Liège and Jeddah, offering over 100 tonnes per flight for high‑value pharma and life‑science shipments. This move not only secures a critical lifeline for time‑sensitive cargo but also signals a broader industry shift toward specialized, high‑capacity air routes when sea lanes become untenable.

On the ocean side, port congestion is spiraling as vessels are diverted to less‑busy terminals like Fujairah and Khor Fakkan, which are quickly reaching capacity. Sohar’s new 3,000‑TEU limit and five‑day sailing delays illustrate the strain on infrastructure, while the damaged Omani port of Salalah is only partially operational. The resulting overflow is pressuring inland trucking networks, as more containers must travel longer distances across the GCC. Logistics providers are therefore forced to balance higher freight rates, limited truck availability, and the risk of further disruptions, prompting a reassessment of inventory buffers and regional distribution strategies.