Gulf routing update ยท October 2026
Container traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is heavily restricted, and most carriers now route Gulf cargo through ports outside the strait with onward trucking. We can route your cargo via Khor Fakkan and Fujairah in the UAE, Sohar and Salalah in Oman, or Jeddah on the Red Sea, and move urgent shipments by air.
Transit times and surcharges are changing week to week, so call us before you book and we will walk you through the current options.
WHERE WE SHIP
Every Gulf market, one team
Full containers, consolidated LCL and air freight to every GCC country and the wider region. Air cargo to DXB, AUH, RUH, JED, DMM, DOH, KWI, MCT and BAH.
United Arab Emirates
Jebel Ali, Khor Fakkan, Fujairah and Khalifa Port, Abu Dhabi
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz Port Dammam and Riyadh Dry Port
Qatar
Hamad Port and Hamad International Airport, Doha
Kuwait
Shuwaikh and Shuaiba ports, Kuwait City
Oman
Sohar, Salalah and Muscat
Bahrain
Khalifa Bin Salman Port, Hidd
Iraq
Umm Qasr Port, Basra
Jordan
Port of Aqaba
WHAT WE MOVE TO THE GULF
Cargo we ship to the Middle East
From a single car for a family member to machinery for a construction site, we plan the routing, the container and the paperwork around your cargo.
Vehicles and equipment
Machinery and break-bulk cargo
Commercial goods
General Cargo & Electronics
Cars, SUVs, trucks and plant shipped in containers or by RoRo, with the US Customs title paperwork filed before export.
Excavators, generators and oversized units on flat racks and open tops, with lifting and lashing planned in advance.
Retail stock, building materials, spare parts and food products in full containers or consolidated LCL.
Personal effects and household moves for families relocating to the Gulf, packed, inventoried and documented.
DOCUMENTS
Paperwork done before the cargo sails
Gulf customs authorities are strict about documents. We prepare and check everything before your booking is confirmed, so cargo is not held when it arrives.
Commercial invoice and packing list
Certificate of origin, certified by the chamber of commerce
Embassy or consulate legalization where the destination requires it
Saudi SABER and SFDA certificates for regulated products
US export filing (AES / EEI)
Bills of lading and air waybills matched to your letter of credit
QUESTIONS
Shipping to the Gulf: common questions
How long does ocean freight from New York and New Jersey to the Gulf take?
It depends on the carrier, the destination port and the current routing. With the Strait of Hormuz restricted, routings via the Red Sea or Oman are taking longer than usual. We confirm the expected transit time for your booking before you commit.
Can my buyer pay by letter of credit?
Yes. We prepare and check the documents your letter of credit calls for and work with your bank so payment is not delayed by discrepancies.
Can urgent cargo go by air?
Yes. We are IATA accredited and book air cargo to all major Gulf airports, airport to airport or door to door.
Can you ship my car to the UAE or Saudi Arabia?
Yes. We ship vehicles in containers or by RoRo and handle the US export paperwork, including the title documents US Customs requires before export. Import rules differ by country and by vehicle age, so check with us before you buy.
Do you handle attestation and legalization?
Yes. We arrange chamber of commerce certification and embassy or consulate legalization for commercial invoices and certificates of origin when the destination requires it.
Do you ship smaller loads to the Gulf?
Yes. Smaller shipments travel as LCL in shared containers, which keeps the cost down when you do not need a full container.