As the US-Israel-Iran war enters its tenth day, Iran’s missile and drone strikes across the region have triggered widespread disruption to transport and logistics networks in one of the world’s most critical trade corridors.
Since the escalation of hostilities in late February 2026, attacks and security threats have affected shipping routes, aviation networks, ports, and energy infrastructure, creating ripple effects across global supply chains.
The Middle East serves as a major bridge linking Asian manufacturing hubs with European and African markets. As missiles and drones target strategic infrastructure, airlines, shipping companies, and logistics providers are being forced to reroute cargo, suspend operations, and absorb sharply rising costs.
Maritime Shipping Under Severe Pressure
One of the most significant disruptions has occurred in maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that carries roughly one-fifth of global oil and major container traffic.
Following Iranian warnings and attacks on vessels, tanker traffic in the strait dropped sharply, with more than 150 ships reportedly anchoring outside the area due to safety concerns.
Several incidents illustrate the growing risk to maritime logistics. Drone strikes targeted Duqm Port and the Port of Salalah in Oman, damaging infrastructure and injuring workers while also hitting nearby oil tankers.
In another case, missile debris forced a temporary suspension of operations at Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, the Middle East’s largest container hub, disrupting cargo handling and shipping schedules.
Shipping companies have responded by halting bookings or rerouting vessels away from the Gulf. Some container ships have been forced to detour thousands of kilometres around southern Africa instead of transiting through the region, significantly increasing transit times and freight costs.
Aviation Networks Disrupted
Air transport and cargo logistics have also been severely affected. Many Middle Eastern countries temporarily closed or restricted their airspace due to missile and drone threats, forcing airlines to cancel flights or take longer routes around the conflict zone.
The closure of key Gulf aviation hubs has had a disproportionate impact on global cargo capacity. Analysts estimate that airspace restrictions and flight cancellations removed roughly 16–18% of global air cargo capacity almost overnight, because the region is a critical transit point for freight moving between Asia and Europe.
Airlines have scrambled to adapt. Oman Air, for example, cancelled several regional services as security risks and airspace closures intensified.
Meanwhile, UAE's Emirates Airline expects to restore 100% of its global network in the coming days, subject to the availability of regional airspace and the completion of all necessary operational requirements.
Several logistics companies report that cargo flights are being rerouted via Central Asia, Turkey, or Africa, increasing flight times and operating costs.
Energy Infrastructure and Cargo Flows Affected
Iranian drone attacks on energy infrastructure are also disrupting logistics flows tied to fuel and petrochemicals. Last week, drones targeted Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura refinery, one of the country’s largest refining and export hubs. Although damage was limited, the facility halted operations temporarily and rerouted exports through alternative ports.
The shutdown contributed to volatility in oil markets and complicated tanker scheduling, as traders and shipping companies scrambled to adjust routes and delivery plans. Brent and WTI crude have both crossed US$100/barrel today.
A Wider Supply Chain Shock
The combined effect of port shutdowns, airspace closures, and maritime security risks is producing a broader supply-chain shock. Analysts warn that the crisis is disrupting shipments of electronics, pharmaceuticals, food products, and industrial components moving between Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Because the region acts as a logistics hub for trans-shipment and fuel supply, disruptions there can cascade globally. Airfreight rates are already rising sharply on Asia–Europe routes as cargo capacity tightens, while insurance premiums for ships entering Gulf waters have surged due to war-risk concerns.
Industry observers say the disruption is comparable in scale to pandemic-era supply chain shocks, with logistics firms scrambling to redesign routes and protect cargo flows.
Geopolitical Vulnerability of Global Trade Networks
For transport and logistics companies, the conflict highlights the vulnerability of global trade networks to geopolitical shocks. As long as missile and drone threats continue across the Gulf region, shipping lanes, air cargo corridors and energy supply routes will remain under pressure, thus raising costs and uncertainty for global commerce.
If the conflict intensifies or the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, the disruptions could evolve from a regional logistics crisis into a full-scale global trade shock.
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