The conflict in the Middle East has now entered its second week with no ceasefire in sight. As of Sunday 8 March 2026, the situation remains volatile and fast-moving, with direct and significant consequences for Australian importers, exporters, and supply chains.

This update incorporates the latest confirmed intelligence from carrier advisories, IFCBAA bulletins, Australian industry bodies, and live market data as of 8 March 2026.

Operation Epic Fury — the joint US-Israeli campaign against Iran — began on 28 February 2026. The conflict has since expanded significantly, with Iran launching over 90 missile and drone strikes on Israel between 28 February and 4 March alone. Iranian forces have also struck civilian and military infrastructure across the Gulf region, including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Oman, and Jordan.

•      Iran has REJECTED ceasefire negotiations (Iranian FM Araghchi, NBC News interview, 6 March)

•      US Senate war powers resolution to restrict further military action FAILED in Congress

•      Trump has demanded unconditional Iranian surrender — no timeline for resolution

•      Israel-Lebanon front has reopened — Hezbollah rockets, Israeli airstrikes, limited ground incursion in southern Lebanon

•      Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City — world's largest LNG and fertiliser export facility — struck by Iranian drones; reporting an unprecedented operational shutdown

•      Oman ports of Duqm and Salalah hit by drone attacks — operations disrupted

•      Container vessel Safeen Prestige struck near Oman — engine room fire, crew abandoned ship — first container ship casualty of the conflict

•      3,200+ vessels reported stuck in the Persian Gulf (ABC News/analytics)

Booking Suspensions

The following major carriers have suspended new bookings to/from Arabian Gulf and broader Middle East ports:

•      MSC — All Gulf bookings suspended + End of Voyage Declaration (see below)

•      Maersk — India Subcontinent to Upper Gulf suspended; all services Cape-routed

•      CMA CGM / ANL Australia — All Middle East bookings suspended except select Arabian Peninsula open ports (Jeddah, King Abdullah, Yanbu, NEOM)

•      Hapag-Lloyd — Multiple Gulf shuttle services halted; PKS Pakistan-Arabian Peninsula service NOT calling Jebel Ali

•      ONE (Ocean Network Express) — Persian Gulf bookings temporarily suspended

•      COSCO, HMM, OOCL, PIL — Gulf bookings suspended

•      ECU Worldwide — Force Majeure declared; bookings suspended for Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, UAE (exc. Khor Fakkan & Fujairah), Saudi Arabia (exc. Jeddah, King Abdullah, Yanbu, NEOM)

CRITICAL: MSC End of Voyage Declaration

MSC — the world's largest shipping line — has declared an End of Voyage for ALL shipments currently under MSC custody destined for Arabian Gulf ports. This is an unprecedented action affecting an estimated 350,000 TEUs globally.

•      All in-transit cargo will be discharged at the NEXT SAFE PORT OF CALL — not the original destination

•      Mandatory deviation surcharge: USD $800 per container (no exceptions)

•      MSC has invoked Clause 13 of its Sea Waybill / Bill of Lading — shippers are responsible for ALL costs at the diversion port including handling, storage, and onward transport

•      Action required: If you have cargo with MSC bound for Arabian Gulf ports — contact us immediately to assess your options

War Risk Surcharges — Confirmed (Apply to All Affected Cargo)

Port Status

Major Gulf Carriers — Gradual Resumption Underway

Following a full suspension of Gulf hub operations from 28 February, major carriers are beginning a phased, cautious return to service. However, full normalisation remains days away, backlogs will take weeks to clear, and the situation remains subject to change without notice.

International Carriers — Extended Suspensions

•      Turkish Airlines — Suspended: Bahrain, Dammam, Riyadh, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Syria, UAE

•      Air France — Dubai & Riyadh suspended until 10 March; Tel Aviv & Beirut until 11 March

•      KLM — Dubai, Dammam, Riyadh suspended until 8 March (likely to extend)

•      Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels, ITA, Eurowings) — Regional suspensions extended

•      Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Garuda — Dubai/Doha/Riyadh suspended/rerouted

•      British Airways — Muscat to London Heathrow rescue flights operating 9-12 March for existing customers

Air Cargo Charter — Alternative Available

Chapman Freeborn (Melbourne office) has confirmed charter aircraft availability for urgent cargo movements to/from the Middle East:

•      B747F (full charter or per-kg): Europe (LGG) to Dubai (DWC) — 23, 26, 30 March + throughout April 2026

•      A321F (27,400kg payload): Europe or Turkey to Middle East — available from 9 March 2026 (subject to airspace clearance)

•      Contact: australia@chapmanfreeborn.aero | +65 6542 1316

•      Note: All flights subject to ongoing airspace clearance confirmation

•      Gulf cargo bookings have collapsed by 81% in two days (Vizion container tracking data)

•      Air cargo capacity globally down ~18% (Rotate data) — 13% of all global air freight normally transits the Gulf

•      VLCC oil tanker rates hit $423,736/day — up 94% in a single session (LSEG data)

•      Brent crude: USD $82+ per barrel (up 10%+); analysts at Wood Mackenzie warn $100/bbl if Hormuz disruption continues

•      Red Sea return plans officially shelved — 'Any plans for a phased return of container shipping to the Red Sea in 2026 will be shelved until the security situation becomes clearer' (Xeneta Chief Analyst Peter Sand)

•      War risk insurance premiums up 50-100% of vessel replacement value; Gard, Skuld, NorthStandard cancelled Gulf coverage from 6 March

•      Trump ordered US Development Finance Corporation to provide political risk insurance for Gulf maritime trade; possible US Navy tanker escorts through Hormuz — practical implementation timeline unclear

IFCBAA has issued multiple bulletins (Updates 2 & 3) with critical guidance for Australian freight forwarders and customs brokers. Key points:

•      War risk clauses do NOT require a formal declaration of war to be activated — the current conflict qualifies

•      War risk insurance can be CANCELLED with 7 days' notice. The Joint War Committee (London) updated designated high-risk areas on 3 March 2026. If you have not confirmed your coverage position, do so immediately.

•      Cargo already in transit is generally covered until discharged — but verify with your insurer immediately

•      Carriers, NVOCs, and freight forwarders are NOT liable for war-related loss or damage under standard transport documents (air waybill, bill of lading) and international conventions (Montreal Convention, Hague-Visby Rules)

•      Cargo owners (importers/exporters) carry the greatest exposure — review your marine cargo policy with your broker

•      Lloyd's of London is 'engaging constructively' with the US DFC insurance scheme — but analysts warn this may not be sufficient to reopen Hormuz shipping quickly

•      Approximately 115,000 Australians stranded in the Middle East region (various reports)

•      Australia exports approximately AUD $5 billion in goods to the Middle East annually — exposure is significant

•      Australia's diesel buffer stands at approximately 34 days — and the Strait of Hormuz carries ~20% of the world's seaborne crude

•      Ras Laffan shutdown directly threatens Qatar LNG and fertiliser exports — Iran supplies ~10% of global urea; Qatar and Saudi Arabia a further 18%. Australia's autumn seeding season is approaching — fertiliser supply disruption is a real risk

•      CMA CGM owns ANL Australia — emergency surcharges apply directly to Australian trade lanes

•      IFCBAA is conducting a member impact survey (NNF 2026/110). AACCI (Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce) has issued an advisory to members

•      Booking capacity past March is extremely tight across all carriers — book early or contact DDWL immediately for alternative routing options

•      Monitoring all carrier, port, airline, and insurance advisories daily — updating clients as developments occur

•      Contacting all clients with affected cargo to assess individual shipment status and develop contingency plans

•      Implementing minimum 3-carrier quoting policy for all Middle East trade to ensure routing options remain available

•      Working with alternative routing options: Khor Fakkan/Fujairah → overland → Jebel Ali; Jeddah for Saudi cargo; Cape of Good Hope routing for select lanes

•      Access to cargo charter options through Chapman Freeborn for urgent air freight requirements

•      In contact with IFCBAA, AACCI, and carrier representatives for real-time intelligence

If you have cargo currently en route to or from the Middle East, or shipments due to load in the coming weeks, please contact our team immediately so we can assess your specific situation and provide the most up-to-date advice.

T: +61 3 5222 2579  |  E: sales@ddwlogistics.com  |  W: www.ddwlogistics.com

Our job is to make your job easier — and that means being ahead of these developments so you don't have to be.