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The moving situation has not improved significantly this week, and the latest developments have only made the picture more complicated. Household goods (HHG) containers continue to compete for the same limited capacity as commercial cargo, while shipping lines still prioritize essential goods.
Shipments containing personal belongings are now more frequently being rolled at ports, rescheduled, or rerouted at short notice than at any other point since the crisis began.
The 21-day transit buffer remains in place for all moving shipments passing through the Gulf region. For Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq, commitments regarding packing dates remain suspended until we see a meaningful change in carrier attitudes.
For time-sensitive shipments, sea-air and landbridge combinations via Muscat and Riyadh remain the most reliable options, although their costs are significantly higher than standard container solutions.
For expatriates arriving in or departing from the UAE or the wider GCC region, as well as HR and mobility managers, we must be honest: schedule reliability currently does not exist. What we can offer instead is a controlled process with clear contingency planning and regular communication. That is what we provide.
Emergency surcharges remain unchanged. Shipping lines continue to apply additional charges between USD 2,000 and 6,000 per container on Middle East routes, while war-risk insurance premiums remain a standard component of all Gulf bookings.
No major carrier has indicated any intention to return to normal Gulf transit operations in the near future. Diversions around the Cape of Good Hope continue to add 8–14 days to Asia–Europe transit times. Combined with port congestion on both sides, actual lead times now exceed February baseline levels by several weeks.
As market conditions have fundamentally changed compared to the pre-conflict period, we recommend reviewing all currently valid quotations and consulting our team regarding the latest operational updates to ensure accurate planning.
At present, no shipping corridor into or out of the inner Gulf region operates normally. The real question is which routes function well enough to remain usable.
Jeddah remains the most viable primary gateway for cargo moving through the Saudi Landbridge toward Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and the Upper Gulf. Delays currently range between 6 and 8 days and continue to increase due to concentrated volume. The reality is simple: berth availability is finite, and the booking window for securing capacity is narrowing rapidly.
Khor Fakkan faces the greatest pressure among eastern coast hubs, with delays reaching up to 13 days and increasingly limited unloading windows. The port is processing substantial cargo volumes that would normally move through Jebel Ali or direct Gulf ports.
Jebel Ali has resumed operations following the Al-Salmi tanker incident, but severe operational friction continues, resulting in approximately 4-day delays. The port remains usable but requires extremely careful management.
Aqaba is emerging as a serious alternative gateway for Upper Gulf cargo, particularly for Levant trade and shipments originally destined for Iraq and Kuwait. The Jordan Landbridge provides a northern routing option that bypasses Gulf congestion in certain lanes and is performing significantly better than expected.
Airspace does not reopen because of a press conference.
The closure of Iraqi, Bahraini, and Kuwaiti airspace remains in effect. Combined, these restrictions create a major no-fly block over the northern and central Gulf region.
Flights from Dubai and Doha to Europe continue to make 3–5 hour detours around restricted FIR zones. Regional airlines currently operate at only 60–70% of normal capacity.
Spot rates remain at record highs, and the gap between published pricing and actually available capacity is wider than at any previous point during the crisis.
Priority handling is strictly enforced:
General freight has moved into waiting queues, while household goods shipments are positioned even further down the priority chain. Under current conditions, there is no guaranteed timeline for clearing these backlogs.
A meaningful improvement should not be expected solely from a potential ceasefire announcement. Long-term operational stability on the ground will be required.
The Muscat–UAE landbridge remains the smoothest entry solution for families currently relocating. The Saudi Landbridge continues to provide the most reliable domestic distribution network across the wider GCC region once customs clearance is completed in Jeddah.
Jebel Ali port is now operating at full capacity again. Credit must be given where due: the rapid response and coordination of the UAE maritime security and environmental authorities prevented what could have become a catastrophic situation at the region’s primary trade hub.
Salalah Port in Oman also began phased operational recovery on March 31. Significant vessel congestion remains and will take time to clear, but the port is operational once again.
Two positive developments within 24 hours.
However, the broader picture remains unchanged. Major shipping lines continue to maintain booking restrictions for the inner Gulf region. Airfreight capacity through UAE hubs remains extremely limited, while freight rates continue to stay substantially above February levels.
Perishable goods and medical equipment continue to receive shipment priority.
Etihad Rail and the Saudi Landbridge are operating at maximum frequency and remain the commercial lifeline of the region.
The situation remains serious. But today marks the first time since the crisis began that we can genuinely say the developments are moving in a positive direction.
Need a specific routing solution for your shipment or relocation program?
Please contact us at:
📩 sales@euromove.hu
📞 +36 1 382 0990
The current situation in the Middle East affects not only daily life, but also international transportation and relocation services. Naturally, many of our clients ask:
“Is it still possible to relocate to or from the region?”
The short answer is: yes — but with greater attention, flexibility, and planning than usual.
The current situation may affect:
However, international moving has not stopped — it has adapted to the circumstances.
Through its international partner network, Euromove & Relocations continuously monitors developments and organises moves accordingly.
In practice, this means:
Our goal is to ensure that our clients’ moves remain safe and manageable, even under changing conditions.
If you are planning a move to or from the Middle East:
Below is the latest operational summary provided by our international partner regarding the Middle East situation and its logistical impact:
“In light of the current geopolitical developments in the Middle East, we are supporting our clients and partners through comprehensive planning solutions.
We strongly recommend carrying out pre-move surveys as soon as possible.
This enables us to safely pack household goods and transfer them into our secured warehouse facilities, ensuring shipments are ready for immediate dispatch once operations resume at ports such as Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi, Khor Fakkan, Sohar, or Jeddah.
We remain in continuous contact with port operators to secure transport capacity as quickly as possible once shipping lines resume services.
Please advise your clients that the survey and planning process can begin immediately, allowing packing schedules to be prepared in advance.
In addition, we provide full export, import, and storage solutions through our offices across the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Oman.
For clients requiring urgent relocation support, we also offer repatriation assistance services, including:
- travel and evacuation support,
- flight booking assistance,
- border-crossing information,
- temporary accommodation arrangements,
- local transportation coordination,
- lease exit management,
- landlord coordination and deposit recovery,
- deregistration support,
- Ejari deregistration,
- utility disconnection management,
- and other administrative assistance.”
The current Middle East situation continues to impact international transportation, but relocations remain possible with proper planning and experienced operational support.
The goal of Euromove & Relocations is to continue providing stable and reliable solutions for clients, even in a rapidly changing environment.
Please contact our sales team for further information:
📩 sales@euromove.hu
📞 +36 1 382 0990
EuroMove Kft.
H - 1116 Budapest, Barázda u. 40.
Phone: +36-1-382-0990 / +36-30-860-0707
E-mail: @email