Days of bitterly unusual weather across the Persian Gulf region have sparked serious concerns for ocean and air freight stakeholders, dealing another blow to supply chains already caught up in worsening geopolitical setbacks after the Iran-Israel faceoff.
Cargo agents and other shipping industry sources in Dubai have reported significant cargo delays and backlogs, which they believe could take up to a week to clear up and return to normalcy.
Sources have also told Container News that many ports in the region, including Jebel Ali, have had to deal with berthing delays because of extreme weather conditions.
“Over-the-road freight movements continue to remain disrupted at many places,” said a freight forwarder.
The forwarder source further noted: “Authorities are working at a swift pace to clear up the affected road networks,”
At the same time, container line sources have noted that leading port terminals in the region are now operating at near normal activity.
An executive at a major European container line said: “Most of the port operations are up and running, but the flooding is leading to cargo delays.”
Air freight verticals are said to have borne the brunt of the disruptions from torrential rains and storms, reportedly the most severe the UAE has experienced in 75 years.
Dubai Airport, the world's busiest hub, has seen widespread flight cancellations and diversions for the last two days, after the storm alarmingly flooded the runway.
