Maersk updates IMEA market conditions amid Middle East disruptions and seasonal exports

The ongoing situation in the Middle East continues to influence shipping services, cargo acceptance and routing options across impacted trade routes. As businesses prepare for seasonal exports and fourth-quarter demand, aligning delivery commitments with available transport capacity remains an important planning priority.

Across Africa, preparations for cocoa, mango and grape exports are highlighting the importance of container availability, shipment timing and early forecasting. Inland conditions vary by market: elevated cargo flows at Saudi ports are influencing onward deliveries; UAE bonded export capabilities are expanding transport options; and regional trade continues to support demand for East African inland connections. In South Africa, port and rail improvements remain uneven and require continued planning flexibility.

Demand for air freight across the Indian subcontinent and the UAE continues to be driven by manufacturing, retail and perishable goods, while restrictions on affected airline routes are limiting available space and connections. Maersk Visibility Studio offers a consolidated view of shipments across carriers and transport modes to help customers identify cargo requiring attention.

Customers are encouraged to share shipment forecasts and delivery priorities with Maersk as early as possible, in order review available services, assess shipment-specific options and adjust plans as conditions evolve.

Ocean: preparing for seasonal exports

The ongoing Middle East situation continues to influence ocean services, cargo acceptance and routing on connected trade lanes. At the same time, upcoming agricultural export seasons across Africa are increasing the importance of aligning container requirements and vessel bookings with production schedules and delivery commitments.

Maersk is assessing available transport options as conditions develop. Customers shipping to, from or through affected markets should refer to the latest Middle East operational updates for booking and routing requirements.

West and Central Africa: cocoa-season preparations

Cocoa exporters in Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria are preparing for the 2026/27 season, with initial shipments expected from October. Food-grade 20-foot containers are a priority, with Maersk developing supply plans across Abidjan, San Pedro, Ghana and Cameroon.

The International Cocoa Organization has highlighted weather-related production risks, including concerns about a potential El Niño event later in 2026. Exporters should update shipment forecasts as crop and purchasing plans develop, helping teams align suitable containers, inland collection and vessel departures.

East Africa: mango preparations and pulses exports

Avocado exports are winding down as preparations begin for mango shipments from October, with volumes increasing through November. Early order confirmation will help exporters align harvesting, packing and transport requirements.

Tanzania's pulses exports are gathering pace after a slower start in August, concentrating more shipments into the peak export window. Demand for tea, coffee, animal fodder and garments remains stable.

Maersk is coordinating container availability and ocean bookings for seasonal flows. Customers should identify fixed delivery deadlines early, particularly where Middle East network changes affect onward connections.

South Africa: grape-season planning

As the citrus season concludes, preparations are underway for grape exports beginning in early November. Maersk plans to begin contracting discussions in the coming weeks, aligning expected volumes, refrigerated container requirements and shipment schedules.

Sharing packing dates and destination requirements early will help teams assess suitable services ahead of the seasonal increase in volumes.

Outlook

Cocoa, mango, pulses and grape exports will shape demand for containers and vessel space over the coming months. Exporters should review shipment plans as harvests and orders develop, aligning delivery commitments with available transport arrangements.

Saudi Arabia and the Upper Gulf: port congestion affects inland schedules

Elevated cargo flows through Jeddah and King Abdullah Port are extending container collection and truck turnaround times. This can reduce the number of journeys trucks are able to complete and may also affect the pace of empty container returns and equipment availability.

Maersk has added trucks and terminal- yard support to help manage inland demand. Teams are coordinating customs clearance, depot services and onward transport to help customers manage delivery requirements.

Depending on current operating conditions, options may include Jeddah connections with Riyadh, Dammam, Bahrain and Kuwait, and the Aqaba–Iraq corridor. Each shipment requires confirmation of routing, cargo acceptance and applicable border requirements. Customers should align clearance readiness and collection plans with their required delivery dates.

UAE: bonded export options expand

Alongside established import services, bonded export capabilities are now available from Khor Fakkan and Fujairah terminals. These services allow cargo to move under customs control before final clearance, providing additional options for export planning.

Maersk is coordinating routing and handling requirements across UAE and Upper Gulf movements. Preparations for dangerous goods transport under bond are also progressing; shipment acceptance remains subject to specific approvals, restrictions and handling requirements.

Customers should discuss cargo type, origin, destination and clearance requirements with their Maersk representative to assess suitable services.

Southern Africa: coordinating road and rail connections

South Africa's port and rail operations are showing signs of improvement, although progress varies by location. Periodic congestion and terminal changes continue to affect container collection and inland delivery schedules.

Maersk coordinates ocean and inland planning across road, rail and depot services, assessing alternatives when schedules change. For temperature-sensitive cargo, refrigerated transport and suitable storage require particular attention during transfers.

Customers should allow flexibility in collection and delivery plans, with alternative ports or transport modes assessed against cargo needs and operational availability.

Eastern Africa: regional trade supports inland demand

Agricultural exports, mineral shipments and cross-border trade continue to support inland transport demand. The Northern Corridor through Kenya and Central Corridor through Tanzania remain important connections for Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Higher export activity is increasing demand for trucks, while vessel delays and variable transit times can affect onward deliveries. Coordinating border documentation, container collection and inland transport is particularly important for time-sensitive shipments.

Agricultural exports and regional trade are expected to sustain activity through September. Customers should align transport and storage requirements with anticipated cargo availability and delivery priorities.

Air freight: planning around limited services

Electronics, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, garments and perishables continue to support air freight demand across the Indian subcontinent and the UAE. However, the Middle East situation continues to affect services on selected routes. Additional freighter flights are supporting some markets, while available space and connections vary by destination.

UAE: passenger service restrictions limit cargo space

International airline suspensions and reduced services continue to affect cargo capacity to and from the UAE. Individual service resumptions may add options on selected routes, but available capacity remains subject to airline schedules and destination-specific requirements.

Customers shipping through Dubai should confirm available departures and connections, allowing flexibility where delivery requirements permit.

India: export demand supports additional services

Electronics, pharmaceuticals, automotive components, aerospace products and e-commerce are supporting demand, alongside additional freighter services to meet export requirements.

Fourth-quarter product launches and retail replenishment are expected to increase demand further. Customers with time-sensitive shipments to Europe should share cargo-ready dates early, particularly where planned services connect through Middle Eastern airports.

Bangladesh: processing and connections influence departure times

Garments, footwear, leather products and pharmaceuticals continue to support export demand. Cargo handling and security screening at Dhaka can affect departure readiness during busy periods, while Middle Eastern connection changes influence services to Europe and North America.

Exporters should align production and documentation with confirmed flights, allowing additional booking lead time for year-end garment shipments.

Sri Lanka: connection planning remains important

Changes to airline services through Middle Eastern airports continue to influence space and transit times for shipments departing Colombo.

Customers should confirm connection times when booking. For more flexible delivery windows, combined ocean and air options may be considered, subject to cargo suitability and service availability.

Pakistan: mango-season experience supports export planning

Pakistan's mango season is expected to conclude in September. Advance arrangements with airline partners supported the export programme. The team is applying this experience to other commodities, with early coordination of volumes, cargo readiness and bookings remaining important for perishable shipments.

Outlook

Fourth-quarter retail and manufacturing demand will remain an important planning consideration while several affected airline routes continue to operate with limited capacity or adjusted schedules. Available connections, airport processing times and fuel-price movements may continue to influence delivery timelines and shipment costs.

Customer guidance

Maintain regular dialogue with your Maersk representative and share expected volumes, cargo-ready dates, handling requirements and delivery priorities early. These discussions will help teams assess available services, consider alternatives and review shipment-specific options and applicable costs.

Schedules remain subject to change. Capacity, equipment suitability and routing options require confirmation at booking and remain subject to applicable operational and regulatory requirements. Customers with shipments involving the Middle East should also consult Maersk's latest operational guidance.

Lead Logistics: greater visibility for more informed supply chain decisions.

In an increasingly dynamic logistics environment, businesses need clear visibility of shipments, inventory and potential business impact. As part of Maersk's Lead Logistics and end-to-end supply chain management services, Maersk Visibility Studio consolidates shipment data from different carriers and transport modes, providing a single view of tracking information, estimated arrival times and disruption alerts. This helps teams identify cargo requiring attention, understand potential implications for inventory and delivery commitments, and take informed action to protect supply chain performance. By turning fragmented logistics data into actionable insights, Visibility Studio helps businesses improve control, resilience and decision-making across their supply chains. Customers can explore the platform or speak with their Maersk representative to learn how it can support their supply chain objectives.