Middle East ports operational update: Wednesday, March 4
Regional overview
As of March 4, 2026, there has been no internationally recognised legal closure of the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iranian radio warnings, heightened military risk, and company‑level directives have led to a sharp reduction in commercial traffic, with most vessels temporarily avoiding transit despite a limited number continuing to pass through.
Airspace remains closed in most Middle East Gulf countries.
United Arab Emirates
- Jebel Ali, Hamriyah, and Sharjah port, all terminal port operations are normal.
- Fujairah and Khor Fakkan, Local port authorities have not issued any alerts at this time. However, navigational warning No. 01/2026 has been disseminated, addressing reported incidents of intermittent GPS signal spoofing and jamming in offshore areas of Fujairah. These disruptions may lead to a loss of positional accuracy, erratic vessel movements on Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), and potentially misleading positional information. Mariners are advised to consider this area as high risk.
All port operations are now proceeding as normal, including activities at the Fujairah Oil Tanker Terminal. - Ras al Khaimah ports — remains open and is operating normally.
- Ruwais and Abu Dhabi petroleum ports are operational. Ruwais PPA (ISPS level 2) & Abu Dhabi Ports (ISPS Level 1). Abu Dhabi Ports confirmed that all UAE ports managed and operated by AD ports remain fully open and are operating as usual.
- Gulf carriers keep UAE skies largely closed until March 5. Crew changes are possible in most cases, but are limited to movements to and from hotels.
Kuwait
- No alerts / notifications / circulars from the Kuwait Port authorities
- Presently, no stoppage of operations has been reported, and no official information from the port authorities
- All ports controlled by KOTC MINA TANK, Mina Al Ahmadi, Mina Abdulla and Mina Al Zour are operational
- All vessels currently bound for Shuaiba Port must redirect to Shuwaikh Port to discharge their cargo. This instruction applies provided that the vessel’s draft does not exceed 9.6 meters. Please note that all manifests will be automatically transferred to Shuwaikh port. Please note that this applies exclusively to container vessels
Oman
- Port operations are partially restricted.
- Suspended port ops: Asyad Drydock — Duqm, Port of Salalah — (GCT Terminal) suspended operations until further notice. (updated)
- Partially suspended port ops: Port of Duqm — only arrived vessels operations ongoing, new call subject approval. (updated)
- Ports working normally: Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat, Mina Al Fahal, Port of Sohar, Qalhat LNG Terminal – Sur, OMIFCO Terminal – Sur, Port of Salalah – CT Terminal
- ISPS Level 1.
- Airspace remains open, although some international flight routes have been suspended.
Saudi Arabia
- There are presently no alerts or warnings issued by the local port authorities. All operational activities are functioning at full capacity.
- Saudi Arabia’s national carrier confirmed flights suspended for Bahrain, Kuwait, Amman, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Russia and Peshawar.
Bahrain
- All port movements are temporarily suspended, including pilotage services.
- ISPS level remains at Level 1.
- Airspace remains closed, and crew changes are not currently possible.
Qatar
- Business as usual with all ports operating.
- Mesaieed port — Significant GPS signal degradation. Although the majority of channel buoys are operational, with only a few exceptions. Pilotage during channel transit between 1800 hrs and 0500 hrs will be mandatory for all vessels, regardless of size, except for Regular caller vessels and OSVs that are not required to navigate through the channel. In addition, if any vessel master is NOT comfortable navigating due to the GPS signal loss and requests a channel pilot during daytime, MPA will arrange pilotage accordingly.
- Al Shaheen and Halul Island offshore terminals are operational.
- The official security status remains at Security Level 1. However, as a proactive measure, all vessels are requested to exercise heightened caution and vigilance.
Egypt
- The Suez Canal and all Egyptian ports remain fully operational.
- ISPS level remains at Level 1.
- Airspace remains open, with no operational impact reported.
- Impact on travel (air and land): Nil; however, National airlines (Egyptair) announced suspension of all its flights to/from Middle East Gulf countries till further notice.
Jordan
- Jordan remains stable. Authorities continue to issue general public-awareness guidelines purely as precautionary measures. There are no security incidents inside Jordan.
- Jordan has closed its airspace from 1800 hrs to 0900 hrs local time daily, effective immediately and until further notice. This affects arriving, departing, and transit flights within the closure window.
- All operations remain normal at Aqaba port. Terminals, marine services, cargo handling, and gate operations are functioning without disruption. Maritime navigation and cargo operations are proceeding smoothly and without delay.
- Jordan airspace is fully open as opposed to the previous partial closure. (updated)
- Flights to Syria, Iraq, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar remain suspended due to airspace closures in those countries.
Pakistan
- All ports remain fully operational.
- ISPS level remains at Level 1.
- Airspace remains open, with no operational impact reported.
Iraq
- No damage at Umm Qasr.
- Basra Oil Terminal has requested a 100% production reduction from South Rumaila due to a shortage of available tankers, resulting from the deterrence of oil tankers entering the Arabian Gulf basin and critically high onshore storage levels. (updated)
- No port restrictions or emergency measures in place.
- Fresh water supply available
- Food purchasing/provisioning available
- Crew change is available, but there is a delay in issuing the visa.
- Shore leave (for emergency medical treatment) available.
Cyprus
- No official cancellations for vessel operations.
- Airspace is open; however, flights are being cancelled, impacting crew change arrangements.
Lebanon
- Beirut and Tripoli ports are open and operating as usual.
- Airspace is open.
- ISPS level remains at level 1.
- All private & public sectors are working normally.
Israel
- Besides restrictions on DG, every port is working as normal.
- No ship has left Israel or was forced to leave outside its schedule.
Source: Inchcape Shipping Services — status last updated March 4, 1000 hrs UAE local time
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