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Middle East overland networks under strain

Mar 31, 2026 | 4PL, Air, Automotive, Chemical, eCommerce, Exports, Foodstuffs, Hazardous, Health, International Trade, Metro, Middle East, News, Project, Publishing, Retail, Road, Sea, Supply Chain

Overland transport across the Middle East has moved from a contingency option to a critical component of regional supply chains, as disruption to ocean and air networks forces cargo onto road-based alternatives. The result is a rapidly tightening environment, where capacity, infrastructure and cross-border processes are all under increasing pressure.

With ocean access into the Gulf restricted, containers are being discharged at ports outside the region and redirected inland via road networks. Oman, alongside locations such as Khor Fakkan, Sohar and Jeddah, has become a central staging point for cargo moving into Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets.

In practice, this means cargo originally destined for major hubs such as Jebel Ali or Hamad is now entering the region through a variety of entry points, with no standardised routing approach. As a result, overland transport is playing a far greater role in bridging gaps between discharge locations and final delivery points.

However, the infrastructure supporting this shift was not designed for sustained, high-volume container flows over long distances, and pressure is building quickly.

Trucking capacity shortages and border constraints

The rapid increase in inland volumes is exposing structural limitations across regional road networks. Trucking capacity is tightening across key corridors linking Oman, Fujairah and Saudi Arabia, with shortages extending transit times and delaying cargo recovery.

Congestion is intensifying at key nodes. In some locations, terminals are operating at full capacity, with vessel queues and dwell times extending beyond 10 days, while long truck queues are forming as cargo competes for onward movement.

At the same time, cross-border complexity is increasing. Driver availability is constrained by visa processing delays, with queues extending for hours and reducing the number of journeys each vehicle can complete. Additional restrictions on driver nationality are further limiting capacity on certain routes.

Operational constraints are also emerging at a regulatory level. Cross-border trucking is not always seamless, with limitations on where vehicles can operate and additional charges being introduced in some markets, increasing both cost and administrative complexity.

As a result, transit times are becoming less predictable and costs are rising sharply. In extreme cases, urgent shipments have seen trucking rates escalate significantly above typical market levels, reflecting both scarcity of capacity and the urgency of demand.

The weekend drone strike on the Port of Salalah has highlighted how exposed overland networks are to disruption at key staging points. The temporary closure of the terminal interrupted a critical gateway for cargo being discharged and moved inland to Gulf markets.

Although operations are set to resume from Tuesday 31st March, constraints are expected to continue, limiting throughput and adding further pressure to already congested road corridors.

Overland not scalable at current volumes

As disruption continues, overland transport is becoming a core part of regional supply chains rather than a temporary workaround. Road, rail and multimodal solutions are being deployed extensively to maintain flow into the Gulf, supported by a growing network of alternative corridors.

However, these solutions are not scalable at the level required to fully replace traditional ocean routes. Capacity limitations, border delays and infrastructure constraints are creating a bottleneck that is likely to persist as long as disruption continues.

For shippers, the challenge is operational as much as strategic — managing cargo already in transit, navigating changing routing decisions and securing inland capacity in a highly constrained environment.

Keep cargo moving with integrated solutions

By combining regional expertise and coverage with established multimodal networks, Metro is coordinating road, air-road and alternative routing strategies to bridge gaps created by disrupted ocean and air services.

Metro works proactively to secure trucking capacity, manage cross-border movements and identify the most effective corridors based on real-time conditions, reducing delays and maintaining control in a highly fluid environment.

With full visibility through the MVT platform, customers can track cargo across inland networks, monitor congestion and adapt quickly as routes and constraints evolve.

If your cargo is impacted or at risk of delay, EMAIL Andrew Smith, Managing Director, to secure capacity and define a clear route forward.

Trade growth in a fragile environment

Mar 31, 2026 | 4PL, Automotive, Chemical, eCommerce, Exports, Foodstuffs, Hazardous, Health, International Trade, News, Publishing, Retail

The latest Global Trade Observatory Outlook, based on insights from more than 3,500 senior supply chain executives, highlights a contradictory confidence in trade growth, while the conditions that support growth are increasingly fragile.

Global goods trade reached record levels in 2025, exceeding $26 trillion, but growth is expected to in 2026 slow as cost pressures and operational complexity increase.

Recent developments underline how fluid the global trade environment has become.

The European Union has approved a trade agreement with the United States, but only with strict safeguards in place. Conditional clauses and review mechanisms have been built in to protect against policy shifts and ensure compliance.

At the same time, the UK’s own trade position with the US remains under review, creating uncertainty around tariffs, market access and regulatory alignment.

For businesses, this introduces a more complex planning environment, because trade agreements are no longer fixed frameworks, but are increasingly conditional and subject to change.

Disruption Is now continuous

Alongside policy uncertainty, operational disruption continues to reshape supply chains.

The Middle East situation has already tightened capacity, extended transit times and increased reliance on alternative routing. Air freight availability has reduced in certain markets, while multimodal and inland solutions are absorbing diverted volumes.

At the same time, cost pressure is building across the supply chain, though nearly half of supply chain executives had been expecting moderate or sharp cost increases, with transport, labour and customs compliance costs rising.

These pressures are no longer isolated. They are systemic.

Inventory strategies are also shifting. With 44% of businesses increasing stock levels, delays today risk translating into availability gaps in the coming weeks.

Buying cycles are tightening, with orders placed later but expected to arrive faster. The tolerance for delay is reducing, because there is less margin for error.

Confidence Is now built on capability

Despite these challenges, businesses remain confident.

This confidence is not reliant on improving conditions. It is based on improved capability, with 46% of businesses planning to use new trade routes, and a further 23% actively evaluating alternatives.

It is this ability to adapt, rather than the expectation of stability, which will drive growth, with success depending on:

Rapid route adjustment
Cost control under pressure
Maintaining flow during disruption
Navigating changing regulatory conditions

Logistics is no longer a support function. It is a performance driver.

Supporting Trade in Volatile Conditions

The companies that succeed will be those that can absorb disruption, adapt quickly and maintain control across increasingly complex supply chains.

Metro works with UK importers and exporters to maintain control in exactly this environment.

Multimodal Flexibility
Integrated sea, air, road and rail solutions allow rapid adjustment to changing capacity and cost dynamics.

Route Optimisation & Corridor Expertise
Dynamic routing strategies avoid congestion, mitigate risk and maintain transit reliability as conditions shift.

Carrier Relationships & Capacity Access
Established partnerships help secure space and maintain flow when availability tightens.

Cost & Performance Control
Consolidation, mode optimisation and advisory support help manage inflationary pressure while protecting service levels.

Visibility & Decision-Making
Real-time tracking and performance insight enable faster, more informed decisions when disruption occurs.

If your supply chain is being impacted by regulatory change, rising costs or network disruption, EMAIL Andrew Smith, Managing Director to learn how we can help you adapt and continue to grow with confidence.

Middle East disruption continues to reshape global supply chains

Mar 18, 2026 | 4PL, Air, Automotive, Chemical, eCommerce, Economics, Exports, Foodstuffs, General, Hazardous, Health, International Trade, Middle East, News, Project, Publishing, Retail, Road, Sea, Supply Chain

Middle East linked disruption extends well beyond the region, with growing implications for global supply chains.

As capacity tightens, routes are reconfigured and costs come under pressure, supply chains are entering a more complex and less predictable phase.

Air freight capacity tightens

Air freight markets are among the most immediately affected. Reduced capacity through key Gulf hubs — which typically handle a significant share of global cargo flows and particularly Asia — has forced airlines to reroute services and limit network coverage.

Market data indicates that capacity reductions in parts of the Middle East and South Asia have been significantly steeper than the decline in volumes, creating a sharp imbalance between supply and demand. As a result, rates on some key east–west corridors have risen by more than 50% week on week, with spot pricing increasing at an even faster pace.

Cargo is increasingly being redirected via alternative gateways such as China and Hong Kong, placing additional pressure on corridors that were previously less affected. This is tightening capacity across Asia–Europe routes and contributing to delays, space shortages and short-notice schedule changes.

At the same time, rising fuel costs and the introduction of war risk-related surcharges are adding further upward pressure, while rate validity is shortening as carriers respond to rapidly changing conditions.

Ocean disruption drives congestion, diversion and equipment imbalances

Ocean freight is facing a different but equally significant set of challenges. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz — a corridor that typically handles a substantial share of global energy flows — has led to a dramatic reduction in vessel transits, with movements down by around 95% compared to normal levels.

Shipping lines have suspended services into the Arabian Gulf and are diverting vessels to alternative ports, where cargo is being discharged and held for onward movement. This is creating a knock-on effect across surrounding regions.

Ports outside the Gulf are now absorbing unexpected volumes. Congestion levels at key contingency hubs have reached critical levels, with some locations operating at or near full capacity and vessel waiting times extending well beyond normal ranges.

At the same time, an estimated 200,000+ TEU of capacity remains effectively trapped within the Gulf, contributing to equipment shortages in Asia as empty containers are unable to return to origin markets. This imbalance is expected to place further pressure on export flows in the coming weeks.

Rising bunker costs are also beginning to influence vessel operations, with some operators reducing sailing speeds to manage fuel consumption, adding further variability to transit times.

Costs rise as surcharges and fuel pressures build

Across both air and ocean freight, cost pressure is becoming more pronounced. Emergency surcharges linked to fuel volatility, war risk and network disruption are being introduced or expanded across multiple trade lanes.

Air freight rates have already increased sharply on key routes, while ocean carriers are implementing additional charges to reflect higher operating costs and longer routing distances. In parallel, regulatory scrutiny is increasing, particularly around how surcharges are applied and communicated.

For shippers, this is creating a more complex cost environment, where pricing can change quickly and visibility is reduced.

The past few weeks have highlighted how quickly supply chain assumptions can change and how important it is to have flexible, well-informed contingency options in place.

Metro is supporting customers by identifying alternative routings, securing capacity across air and ocean networks, and maintaining close operational control as conditions evolve.

To discuss how this situation could impact your supply chain, or to review practical routing and cost options, EMAIL Andrew Smith, Managing Director at Metro, for a direct and informed response.

Cross-Channel rail freight set to strengthen UK–Europe intermodal links

Mar 18, 2026 | 4PL, Automotive, Chemical, Exports, Foodstuffs, Hazardous, Health, Intermodal, News, Publishing, Rail, Retail

Plans to reintroduce regular cross-Channel rail freight services are moving forward, signalling a potential shift in how goods move between the UK and mainland Europe.

As investment in infrastructure gathers pace, rail is re-emerging as a viable complement to established road and sea routes.

A government-backed agreement to redevelop the Barking Eurohub in east London is expected to play a central role in restoring regular rail freight services through the Channel Tunnel.

The site is being positioned as an international logistics hub, supporting intermodal trains that can move containers seamlessly between rail, road and sea. This would enable more direct connections between the UK and key European markets including France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Currently, only a limited volume of rail freight passes through the Channel Tunnel, with most UK–EU cargo continuing to rely on short sea crossings and onward road transport.

The planned expansion of intermodal rail services is intended to rebalance that model and provide greater flexibility for cross-border supply chains.

Rail offers an alternative to congested road and port networks

The renewed focus on rail comes at a time when road and port infrastructure across the UK and Europe is under increasing pressure.

Shifting a greater share of freight onto rail has the potential to reduce congestion on key corridors in the south-east of England, while also improving transit predictability for certain flows. For shippers, this introduces an additional routing option that sits between road and sea in terms of both speed and cost.

Rail freight volumes have already been growing steadily, with increases of around 5% year on year and further gains in intermodal traffic. Forecasts suggest continued growth over the coming decade, supported by both infrastructure investment and policy commitments to expand rail’s role in the supply chain.

Unlocking new options for UK–Europe trade

The return of regular cross-Channel rail services could create new opportunities for both imports and exports.

For UK businesses, this includes more direct access to European markets for a wide range of goods, as well as improved inbound flows of time-sensitive products such as food and consumer goods. Intermodal rail also offers a more structured and predictable alternative for moving containerised cargo across borders.

However, realising this potential will depend on how effectively rail services are integrated into wider logistics networks. Efficient onward connections, competitive pricing and reliable scheduling will all be critical to making rail a commercially viable option at scale.

Rail is unlikely to replace road or sea, but it can play a valuable role as part of a broader intermodal strategy, particularly for flows that benefit from a balance of speed, cost and sustainability.

This is where coordination becomes critical. Moving containers efficiently between ports, rail terminals and final delivery points requires a joined-up approach across multiple modes and geographies.

Metro has extensive experience in pan-European intermodal transport, combining road, sea and rail solutions, alongside regular UK rail services connecting primary ports with inland destinations.

If you are looking to explore how cross-Channel rail could support your European flows, or how to integrate rail into your wider transport strategy, EMAIL Andrew Smith, Managing Director at Metro, for a practical discussion tailored to your network.

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Category: Publishing