The complex geopolitical and logistical situation in the Strait of Hormuz continues to have a tangible impact on international shipment planning. For companies engaged in sea import-export, the consequences vary widely depending on the shipping line chosen and the intermediate ports of call planned along the route.
Recent operational updates confirm port omissions at key hubs in the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. In a scenario where even a short delay in transshipment can disrupt the entire supply chain, planning every detail becomes essential. Let’s look at the latest updates and the checks you need to make before entrusting your cargo to the sea.
Logistics Updates and Slowdowns in the Persian Gulf
The turbulence in the Strait of Hormuz is forcing the major carriers to constantly reorganize their shipping services in the Persian Gulf and surrounding areas.
In its advisory of 6 November 2026, referring to the Hapag-Lloyd operational report, calls are being handled case by case at the port of Jebel Ali (United Arab Emirates), and the call at Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) is being omitted entirely on certain specific departures of the Asia–South Europe service.
The same report highlighted issues with berthing waits of up to 36 hours at Salalah, Oman, and up to 24 hours at certain terminals in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Although these figures refer to specific ports and services, delays at commercial ports can create a marked domino effect. The real impact on an individual delivery, in fact, depends essentially on whether the onward connection can be maintained.
Why the Intermediate Port of Call Matters in Import-Export
When organizing sea transport, attention should not be focused only on the port of origin and the port of destination. If the first vessel accumulates delay and the container misses the connection for the final maritime leg, the goods will have to wait for the next departure.
Moreover, if the shipping line decides at the last minute to change the port of discharge in order to recover lost time, the entire organization of pickup and road transport to the final destination will inevitably have to be reviewed. For this reason, when a delivery is closely tied to a production start or to a binding commitment to the end customer, it is vital to check the entire itinerary before booking space.
Logistics Planning: 3 Crucial Checks Before You Ship
To mitigate logistics risks, we recommend always carrying out these three checks:
- Itinerary: it is important to know from the outset whether the vessel is sailing a direct route or whether intermediate transshipments are planned along the way.
- Delivery date: there is often a significant gap between the estimated berthing at the quay and the actual delivery to the final warehouse, and it is precisely this margin that makes the difference to timing.
- Alternatives: when facing non-negotiable commercial deadlines, it is advisable to prepare a plan B straight away: an alternative itinerary or a targeted air shipment for the most urgent goods.
Do you have goods about to depart, or already on their way to at-risk destinations?
Tell us the origin, the destination and the latest date by which the goods must arrive. The Messaggerie del Garda team can go through the carrier’s planned route with you in detail and promptly assess the alternatives available for your shipment.
