Finance
Maersk Says Gulf Land-Bridge Routes Still Have Capacity for Food, Medicines
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 26, 2026
3 min readLast updated: March 26, 2026
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Maersk confirms it still has spare capacity to transport essential goods like food and medicines via Gulf land‑bridge routes—using ports in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE—to bypass Strait of Hormuz disruptions caused by the February 2026 conflict, supporting critical supply lines in a region that i
Maersk says Gulf land-bridge routes still have capacity for food, medicines
By Maggie Fick
Maersk Maintains Critical Supply Lines Amid Gulf Conflict
LONDON, March 26 (Reuters) - Shipping giant Maersk is maintaining food and medicine supply lines via alternative land-bridge routes in the Gulf that still have some spare capacity despite the Iran war, its regional head told Reuters on Thursday.
The war that began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran last month, followed by Iranian attacks across the region and the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, has brought shipping in the Gulf to a near standstill, rippling across global supply chains.
Alternative Land-Bridge System in Operation
Danish container shipping group A.P. Moller-Maersk is using a "land-bridge" system via ports in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Salalah and Sohar in Oman and Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates, to funnel in cargo before moving it by land to destinations across the Gulf region.
Coordination with Gulf Governments
Charles van der Steene, Dubai-based regional managing director for the Middle East, said Maersk was ramping up the network and coordinating with Gulf governments, which have introduced faster procedures to speed deliveries.
Prioritising Critical Goods
While it is prioritising critical goods, namely food and medicines, there is still capacity to spare on these alternative routes, he added.
Cargo volumes into the port in Jeddah have jumped 40% since the conflict began, van der Steene said.
Impact on Cargo Volumes and Supply Chains
Before the conflict, Maersk moved about 35,000 containers a week in and out of the Gulf, he said. Its land-bridge network is now absorbing those volumes. In the initial weeks of the war, Maersk worked with customers and Gulf governments to prioritise medicines and food, including chilled and frozen cargo, and other critical shipments.
Food Import Dependency in the Gulf
Maersk's board chair said on Wednesday that the Middle East region has a "pressing need" for food imports disrupted by the war. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries import up to 85% of their food, according to the World Economic Forum.
Rising Logistics Costs and Security Challenges
Existing and Enhanced Alternative Routes
Some of the alternative routes, such as via Saudi Arabia, were already in place given previous disruptions like in the Red Sea two years ago, but Maersk has ramped up its land-bridge system across the Gulf over the last several weeks, van der Steene added.
Security and Cost Implications
The fluid security situation could still force changes to routes, he said. Rising costs for fuel, insurance and transport were pushing up overall logistics prices, he said, declining to say by how much.
Customs and Border Coordination
Van der Steene said Maersk was coordinating with GCC governments on border, customs and terminal handling procedures, including fast-track "green lane" arrangements to move goods more quickly.
(Reporting by Maggie Fick; Editing by Joe Bavier, Andrei Khalip and Susan Fenton)
Key Takeaways
- •Maersk has maintained alternative land‑bridge routes (via Jeddah, Salalah, Sohar, Khor Fakkan) for essential cargo, which still have available capacity despite Gulf war disruptions.
- •The Strait of Hormuz was closed following U.S.‑Israeli strikes on Iran in late February 2026, halting most maritime traffic; shipping companies including Maersk rerouted via land corridors.(en.wikipedia.org)
- •GCC countries are highly import‑dependent—importing up to 85% of their food—including nearly all rice and most cereals—making such alternative logistics vital.(weforum.org)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Maersk says Gulf land-bridge routes still have capacity for food, medicines
1How is Maersk maintaining supply lines in the Gulf during the war?
Maersk is using alternative land-bridge routes through ports in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE to move cargo by land across the Gulf, ensuring continued supply of food and medicines.
2Which ports are involved in Maersk's Gulf land-bridge system?
The ports involved include Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Salalah and Sohar in Oman, and Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates.
3Are the alternative land-bridge routes at full capacity?
No, Maersk reports that there is still some spare capacity in these alternative routes.
4What goods does Maersk prioritize in these Gulf routes?
Maersk is prioritizing critical goods such as food and medicines on these land-bridge routes.
5Why are Gulf countries dependent on food imports?
According to the World Economic Forum, Gulf Cooperation Council countries import up to 85% of their food due to disrupted local supplies.
