Omani ports pitched as alternative hubs amidst Hormuz crisis in Port News 11/03/2026 With growing numbers of carriers avoiding ports inside the Arabian Gulf amidst the ongoing conflict in the region, shipping agencies and service providers are highlighting the advantageous position of Omani ports as alternative hubs for cargoes originating from or destined for countries across the Arabian Peninsula. In recent days, leading shipping lines have introduced measures limiting voyages into the Gulf, citing rising war-risk insurance costs and the heightened risks faced by vessels entering the conflict zone. That zone effectively encompasses the waters of the Arabian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and much of the Sea of Oman. For example, MSC — the world’s largest container shipping line — declared an “End of Voyage” for all shipments destined for ports in the Arabian Gulf, effectively terminating its contractual responsibility for cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Responsibility for arranging onward transportation and assuming associated risks now rests with cargo owners. MSC stated that shipments en route would be diverted to the next safe port of discharge, where cargo would be made available for local delivery and recovery, accompanied by a mandatory $800 per container surcharge to cover deviation costs. All discharge-related expenses, including handling and storage, remain the responsibility of the cargo owner. Maersk, also ranked among the world’s largest container carriers, has suspended new bookings to and from Oman (with the exception of Port of Salalah), the UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, citing operational measures to ensure safety and service stability. The carrier also introduced an emergency surcharge on cargo already in transit to cover alternative routings and operational adjustments. Surcharges amount to $1,800 per TEU, $3,000 per forty-foot container and $3,800 for reefer units. Chinese shipping and logistics giant COSCO Shipping’s container liner unit likewise suspended new bookings for routes to and from the Middle East, citing the escalating conflict and restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz. CMA CGM the France-based global shipping and logistics group, introduced an Emergency Conflict Surcharge of up to $4,000 per container on Gulf and regional trades, while Hapag-Lloyd implemented a War Risk Surcharge of around $1,500 per TEU and up to $3,500 for specialised equipment. VARYING IMPACTS While these measures will affect trade flows for Gulf states, the impact on countries outside the conflict zone is comparatively less. Saudi Arabia retains access to global routes via the Red Sea and the UAE can utilise its ports at Fujairah and Khor Fakkan for Sea of Oman connectivity. Oman’s maritime gateways at Sohar Port, Duqm Port and Salalah Port — located outside the conflict zone — are being promoted as contingency hubs for cargo flows into the Arabian hinterland. Carriers and logistics providers are positioning these ports as stable alternatives capable of absorbing diverted traffic. Mohammed al Tamami, Co-Founder of well-known fintech venture Mamun, described Oman’s role as a “stabilising bridge between seas, markets and neighbours” during regional disruptions, noting that decades of infrastructure cooperation across the GCC have produced strategic redundancy. Examples include Kuwait’s downstream investments in Oman, Saudi Arabia’s road connectivity to Duqm, UAE logistics integration through Sohar and p