India-Middle East cargo flows strained by congestion and vessel attacks

· Logistics · India · United Arab Emirates

Cargo flows between India and the Middle East are under fresh strain, with longer berthing delays reported at the UAE ports of Fujairah and Khor Fakkan and feeder capacity on the trade route described as stretched. The disruption follows recent attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The trade relies heavily on feeder vessels linking Indian load ports with Gulf hub ports, so delays at Fujairah and Khor Fakkan ripple through schedules on both sides. Shippers moving goods between South Asia and the Gulf face longer lead times and tighter space, while congestion absorbs vessel capacity that would otherwise be deployed elsewhere.

Why it matters：The Gulf-India corridor is a key leg for energy-linked and consumer cargo; repeated disruption there raises costs across Middle East and South Asian supply chains and adds pressure on already constrained feeder markets.

Key points

  • Berthing delays have lengthened at Fujairah and Khor Fakkan in the UAE.
  • The disruption follows recent attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Feeder capacity on the India-Middle East trade is strained.

Sources (original reporting)

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