Strait of Hormuz closure: Why shippers are searching for Jeddah, Fujairah and Khor Fakkan

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered one of the biggest shifts in Middle East logistics in recent years. With the world's busiest oil and container shipping corridor disrupted, cargo owners, freight forwarders and shipping lines are rapidly evaluating alternative gateways to keep supply chains moving.

As a result, online searches for Jeddah Islamic Port, Fujairah and Khor Fakkan have surged. These ports are located outside the Strait of Hormuz and have emerged as critical entry points for cargo destined for Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Instead of relying entirely on direct maritime services into the Arabian Gulf, logistics providers are increasingly combining sea transport with long-haul road and rail movements to reach inland destinations across the region.

Why are people searching for Jeddah, Fujairah and Khor Fakkan?

These ports have become the most practical alternatives for cargo that can no longer enter the Arabian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz.

Jeddah Islamic Port serves as Saudi Arabia's primary Red Sea gateway and provides direct access to the Kingdom's extensive road network connecting Riyadh, Dammam, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.

Meanwhile, Fujairah and Khor Fakkan, located on the UAE's eastern coastline along the Gulf of Oman, remain outside the Strait of Hormuz, allowing vessels to discharge cargo without entering the conflict zone. Containers can then be transported by road to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and neighbouring GCC markets.

How does the Saudi land bridge work?

The disruption has increased the importance of Saudi Arabia's east-west logistics corridor.

Rather than sailing directly to Gulf ports, containers are discharged at Jeddah before moving inland by truck or rail.

A typical cargo movement now follows this sequence:

Jeddah Islamic Port → Riyadh → Dammam → Bahrain / Kuwait

or

Jeddah Islamic Port → Riyadh → Salwa Border → Doha

This multimodal network enables cargo to continue moving despite maritime restrictions, although it adds inland transport costs and increases dependence on trucking capacity.

Approximate inland transit times from Jeddah

Transit times are indicative and may vary depending on customs clearance, inspections, weather, public holidays and road conditions.

Which cargo is most affected?

Not every commodity is impacted equally.

Containerized consumer goods, automotive parts, food products, retail cargo and e-commerce shipments are likely to experience immediate delays because they depend heavily on fixed shipping schedules.

Project cargo, construction materials and industrial machinery may also face extended lead times due to limited availability of specialized trailers for cross-border transport.

Chemical products and hazardous cargo require additional regulatory approvals at several GCC border crossings, further extending delivery schedules.

What are the biggest operational challenges?

The shift from sea-only transportation to multimodal logistics has created several bottlenecks across the region.

Port congestion

Large volumes of diverted cargo are placing additional pressure on Jeddah, Fujairah and Khor Fakkan, increasing vessel waiting times and terminal dwell periods.

Truck shortages

Demand for long-distance trucking across Saudi Arabia has risen sharply, resulting in higher freight rates and limited equipment availability.

Border delays

Major crossings such as King Fahd Causeway, Salwa Border and Al Batha are processing higher-than-normal cargo volumes, increasing customs clearance times.

Container imbalance

Empty containers accumulate at inland destinations while exporters in Asia wait for equipment repositioning, creating supply shortages across global shipping networks.

Will freight costs increase?

Higher logistics costs are expected across most Gulf trade lanes.

Importers are already facing:

• Increased war-risk insurance premiums

• Emergency carrier surcharges

• Longer inland transportation distances

• Higher truck hire charges

• Additional border handling costs

• Longer container detention and storage charges

While ocean freight remains a major cost component, inland transportation is becoming an increasingly significant part of the total landed cost.

Which alternative gateway should importers choose?

The preferred gateway depends on the final destination.

Diversifying cargo across multiple gateways can help reduce congestion risks while improving supply chain resilience.

What should logistics companies do now?

Companies should prepare for prolonged operational disruption by adopting flexible routing strategies.

Recommended actions include:

• Diversify discharge ports instead of relying on a single gateway.

• Secure trucking capacity through long-term contracts.

• Complete customs documentation before vessel arrival wherever possible.

• Monitor border waiting times and adjust delivery schedules.

• Maintain additional inventory buffers for critical products.

• Review customer lead times and update shipment planning regularly.

Logisticswall outlook

The disruption of the Strait of Hormuz highlights how quickly global supply chains can be reshaped by geopolitical events. While the traditional maritime route into the Arabian Gulf remains constrained, ports such as Jeddah, Fujairah and Khor Fakkan are becoming increasingly important as regional logistics hubs.

For Saudi Arabia, the shift reinforces the strategic value of Jeddah Islamic Port and the Kingdom's east-west transport network, allowing cargo to move efficiently from the Red Sea to inland markets and neighbouring GCC countries. Businesses that diversify their gateways, strengthen inland transport partnerships and proactively manage customs and border procedures will be better positioned to minimise delays and maintain supply chain continuity during periods of regional disruption.