--- title: "Customer Advisory: Middle East Supply Chain Disruption Update" description: Middle East conflict disrupts global supply chains, causing ocean and air freight delays, higher rates, and operational challenges. Plan ahead and explore alternatives to mitigate impacts. image: https://news.mtflogistics.com.au/hubfs/important-notice-1_march_header-imagejpg.webp --- [Skip to content](https://news.mtflogistics.com.au/mtf-logistics-pty-ltd-blog/customer-advisory-middle-east-supply-chain-disruption-update#main-content) ![](https://news.mtflogistics.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/important-notice-1_march_header-imagejpg.webp?width=780&height=312&name=important-notice-1_march_header-imagejpg.webp) Customer Advisory Middle East # Customer Advisory: Middle East Supply Chain Disruption Update ![Daniel](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e) Daniel March 3, 2026 The escalating conflict across the Middle East has resulted in significant disruptions to global ocean and air freight operations. Iran has officially closed the Strait of Hormuz, forcing carriers to halt transits, reroute vessels, or anchor for safety. As a result, major shipping lines—including CMA CGM, Maersk, MSC, Hapag‑Lloyd, Evergreen, and COSCO—have implemented emergency measures such as suspended bookings, rerouting vessels via the Cape of Good Hope (adding 10–20+ days transit), sheltering ships in safe waters, and introducing conflict‑related surcharges. CMA CGM has suspended all reefer bookings to/from 13 regional countries, while multiple carriers have paused Trans‑Suez and Hormuz crossings. War Risk and Emergency Conflict Surcharges as high as USD2,000/3,000 per 20'GP/40'HC have been introduced across several carriers to offset rising operational costs. Port disruptions have intensified the situation, with Jebel Ali (Dubai), Duqm, and Asyad Dry Dock temporarily suspending operations, leading to growing port congestion in major hubs such as Singapore, Colombo, and Tanjung Pelepas. In air freight, widespread airspace closures across 11 Middle Eastern countries have caused severe operational challenges. Over 19,000 flights have been delayed or cancelled, with airlines—including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Air India, AF‑KLM, and Ethiopian Airlines—suspending services to key destinations. Capacity shortages, premium‑level rate increases, and rerouted long‑haul flights have sharply reduced available cargo space, particularly on Europe, US, and India outbound routes. Many airports across Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Syria and Lebanon remain closed, further constraining lift and driving volatility across global air networks. Please expect longer transit times, higher freight rates, selective port omissions, equipment shortages, and frequent schedule changes across both sea and air logistics. We strongly recommend early planning, reviewing alternative routings, maintaining buffer stock, and monitoring shipments closely through tracking platforms. Our team continues to work closely with carriers and partners to minimise disruption and will keep you updated as the situation evolves. If you have urgent cargo or require alternative solutions, please contact us for personalised support. ## Share this post [mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fnews.mtflogistics.com.au%2Fmtf-logistics-pty-ltd-blog%2Fcustomer-advisory-middle-east-supply-chain-disruption-update](mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fnews.mtflogistics.com.au%2Fmtf-logistics-pty-ltd-blog%2Fcustomer-advisory-middle-east-supply-chain-disruption-update) ## Keep reading ### [![](https://news.mtflogistics.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/21.jpg?width=6720&height=4480&name=21.jpg) Australia Working to Double Horticulture Exports](https://news.mtflogistics.com.au/mtf-logistics-pty-ltd-blog/australia-working-to-double-horticulture-exports) ### [![](https://news.mtflogistics.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/20-1.jpg?width=6000&height=3000&name=20-1.jpg) Australian Exports to Iraq Post a 97.5% Drop in Q2](https://news.mtflogistics.com.au/mtf-logistics-pty-ltd-blog/australian-exports-to-iraq-post-a-97.5-drop-in-q2) [MTF Logistics](https://www.mtflogistics.com.au/) [Sea Freight](https://www.mtflogistics.com.au/sea-freight/) [Air Freight](https://www.mtflogistics.com.au/air-freight/) [Customs Clearance](https://www.mtflogistics.com.au/customs-clearance/) [Freight Forwarding](https://www.mtflogistics.com.au/freight-forwarding/) [Guides](https://www.mtflogistics.com.au/category/freight-logistics-insights/) [Get a Quote](https://www.mtflogistics.com.au/start/) ## About MTF Logistics MTF Logistics is an owner-managed freight forwarder based in North Sydney, operating since 2014. 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Call 1300 710 683 or [get a quote](https://www.mtflogistics.com.au/start/). ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Daniel", "url" : "https://news.mtflogistics.com.au/mtf-logistics-pty-ltd-blog/author/daniel" }, "dateModified" : "2026-03-03T01:02:37.457Z", "datePublished" : "2026-03-03T01:02:37.000Z", "headline" : "Customer Advisory: Middle East Supply Chain Disruption Update", "image" : [ "https://news.mtflogistics.com.au/hubfs/important-notice-1_march_header-imagejpg.webp" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://news.mtflogistics.com.au/mtf-logistics-pty-ltd-blog/customer-advisory-middle-east-supply-chain-disruption-update", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject" } } } ```