In the latest news, terminals at Persian Gulf ports reopen the gates to outbound freight flows, although slowly, market sources claim. The ports Khor Fakkan as well as Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates – UAE, along with Sohar in Oman had been barred to import discharges for container carriers since the conflict in the Middle East started due to extreme yard space and cargo safety constraints.
The ports have been the lifeline of the supply chain for shipments to the Middle East since the Middle East war broke out Feb. 28, 2026. Emergency port operations effectively meant a single-leg cargo opportunity for vessel operators, as they were not permitted to pick up boxes on the backhaul route so as to avoid longer berth stays.
Now, a few mainliners, most notably CMA CGM, along with other large feeder operators, usually supported by non-vessel-operating common carriers NVOs are moving containers of Middle East origin into India, therefore helping ease of middle east-India supply chains, several Dubai-based freight forwarder executives who conversed with the Journal of Commerce verified
Export gate-ins have resumed but in a rough manner and owing to the space situation, said one of the sources who did not want to be named.
CMA CGM offers weekly regular sailings between three western Indian ports Hazira, Mundra as well as Nhava Sheva and Fujairah and Sohar under its BIGEX network. The French carrier also apparently emptied most Middle East-bound containers that were redirected to Nhava Sheva, which included accumulated hazardous/dangerous cargo boxes which had raised safety concerns for the port authority.
Traditionally, Middle East ports have been a major player for transporters in repositioning empty containers to high-demand locations, including India. This renewed operational flexibility has allowed CMA CGM to move acquired empties through Fujairah into Nhava Sheva to restock its tightening inventory capacities in India.
It is indeed big relief to see ease of middle east-India supply chains as the regional disruption put a strain on the inventory cycle of the carrier, but weaker demand for exports from India kept any kind of industrywide equipment shortages at bay, local sources said.
CMA CGM, AD Ports Sign Logistics Pact
Meanwhile, CMA CGM signed a deal along with AD Ports Group in order to collaborate on intermodal logistics solutions in the UAE as well as the wider region. The move comes as desire for multimodal/land bridge alternatives persists to increase in the region.
The collaboration will look for possibilities so as to boost cargo flows across the UAE and regional markets such as the northern Emirates, while boosting trade corridor optionality by means of rail-linked inland connectivity across the borders of Oman and Saudi Arabia, the partners went on to say in a joint statement.
CMA CGM already has a terminal joint venture along with AD Ports at Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi via its subsidiary CMA Terminals.
