Maersk Reroutes Non-Saudi Gulf Cargo Away from Jeddah
Maersk has announced that it will no longer be transhipping cargo bound for Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE via Jeddah. Instead, cargo for these countries will now tranship via APM Terminals’ facility in Salalah, Oman, or via Khor Fakkan in the UAE with a land bridge to Sharjah and onward feeder connections to final destinations.
Changes to Cargo Routes
The port of Jeddah on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast has become an alternative route for containers into countries in the Arabian Gulf, avoiding the Strait of Hormuz. However, with peak season approaching, Maersk has decided to change its cargo route for non-Saudi Gulf cargo.
Implications of the Change
This change will affect cargo booked to Jeddah but with a Port of Discharge or Place of Delivery outside Saudi Arabia. Such cargo will not be discharged in Jeddah and will instead be routed via Khor Fakkan. Cargo booked to discharge within Saudi Arabia will continue to tranship via Jeddah with a land bridge solution to Riyadh and Dammam.