Maersk bypasses Hormuz closure with emergency land routes

A.P. Moller-Maersk is maintaining the flow of food and medical supplies to the Persian Gulf by redirecting cargo through alternative overland routes, as maritime transport remains severely disrupted by the conflict involving Iran, according to Reuters.

The disruption began after US and Israeli strikes on Iran last month, followed by retaliatory attacks across the region and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, effectively halting most shipping traffic in the Gulf and straining global supply chains.

To adapt, Maersk has expanded its “land bridge” logistics network, rerouting cargo through key regional ports including Jeddah, Salalah, Sohar and Khor Fakkan, before transporting goods by land to destinations across Gulf countries.

Charles van der Steen said the company is scaling up this network while working closely with regional governments, which have introduced expedited procedures to accelerate cargo movement.

Despite prioritising essential goods such as food and medicines, van der Steen said the alternative routes still retain some spare capacity. He noted that cargo volumes arriving at Jeddah have risen by 40% since the conflict began.

Before the escalation, Maersk handled approximately 35,000 containers per week to and from Gulf countries. Those volumes are now being redirected through the land bridge system. In the initial weeks of the war, the company coordinated with customers and Gulf governments to prioritise deliveries of medicines, food — including chilled and frozen items — and other critical supplies.

The company’s chairman said the region is facing an “acute need” for food imports, which have been disrupted by the conflict. Data from the World Economic Forum shows that countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council import up to 85% of their food consumption.

While some alternative routes, particularly through Saudi Arabia, had been developed in response to earlier disruptions, Maersk has significantly expanded its land bridge system in recent weeks.

Van der Steen cautioned that the volatile security environment could force further route adjustments. He also noted that rising costs for fuel, insurance and transportation are pushing overall logistics expenses higher, though he did not provide specific figures.

In parallel, Maersk is coordinating with Gulf governments on border controls, customs clearance and terminal operations, including the introduction of fast-track “green corridor” procedures to speed up the movement of goods.

By Tamilla Hasanova