BUSINESS

CMA CGM Restarts Gulf Shipping but Skirts Strait of Hormuz

Published: Mar. 13, 2026 3:20 a.m. GMT+8

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CMA CGM shipping containers are seen at a railway freight yard in Montreal, Canada, on March 9, 2026. Photo: IC

French shipping giant CMA CGM has resumed booking services to and from Gulf countries after a more than 10-day suspension, but it is avoiding the Strait of Hormuz by using less efficient sea-and-land routes.

The world’s second-largest container line announced March 11 that it would restart import and export bookings for countries including Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Instead of sailing directly through the Persian Gulf, vessels will unload at ports in Oman and Saudi Arabia, where cargo will be moved to its final destination by feeder ships or bonded trucks.

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CMA CGM resumed Gulf bookings after a 10-day halt, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz via alternative sea-land routes.
Ongoing disruptions have caused shipping rates to surge 135%, and nearly 15% of global air cargo capacity was affected as of March 8.
Gulf nations, importing 90% of their food (70% via Hormuz), risk food shortages and now seek supplies through alternative ports and routes.

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Who’s Who

CMA CGM: CMA CGM, a French shipping giant and the world's second-largest container line, has resumed booking services to and from Gulf countries after a 10-day suspension. They are using less efficient sea-and-land routes to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, employing feeder ships or bonded trucks from Omani and Saudi Arabian ports. CMA CGM is the first major carrier to restore these services since the March 1 blockade.

Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC): Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) is one of the top shipping firms that halted passage through the Strait of Hormuz on March 1. They have imposed an emergency fuel surcharge of $150 per standard container due to the ongoing disruption.

Maersk: Maersk is one of the top shipping firms that halted passage through the Strait of Hormuz on March 1st. The company is actively monitoring the situation with safety as its top priority. Maersk has also imposed emergency fuel surcharges of $200 per standard container due to the logistics paralysis.

Cosco Shipping Holdings Co. Ltd.: Cosco Shipping Holdings Co. Ltd. (中远海运控股股份有限公司) is a leading state-owned Chinese shipping firm. It is part of a coalition of major shipping companies that halted passage through the Strait of Hormuz on March 1. Cosco Shipping has a vessel-sharing agreement with CMA CGM, allowing its Chinese clients to utilize CMA CGM's recently restored services to Gulf countries, which avoid the Strait of Hormuz.

Hapag-Lloyd: Hapag-Lloyd, a major shipping firm, was part of a coalition that halted passage through the Strait of Hormuz on March 1. They have not yet resumed services, unlike CMA CGM, which has re-established booking services for Gulf countries using alternative sea-and-land routes.

Ocean Network Express (ONE): Ocean Network Express (ONE) was among the top shipping firms that halted passage through the Strait of Hormuz on March 1. This action disrupted import logistics for Gulf nations and supplies of essential goods. Other major carriers, such as Maersk, are closely monitoring the situation with safety as their top priority.

Qatar Airways Cargo: Qatar Airways Cargo suspended freight operations due to airspace closures, with only flights not passing through its Doha hub operating. This contributes to nearly half of air cargo capacity from the Middle East and South Asia being grounded, affecting about 15% of global cargo capacity.

Emirates SkyCargo: Emirates SkyCargo is an air freight carrier that previously announced the resumption of eight cargo routes. These routes bypass its Dubai base due to airspace closures and flight cancellations affecting air cargo capacity in the Middle East and South Asia.

WorldACD: WorldACD is an air freight data firm. According to the article, it reported that as of March 8, airspace closures and flight cancellations had grounded nearly half of the air cargo capacity departing from the Middle East and South Asia. This disruption affected about 15% of global cargo capacity.

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What Happened When

Before March 1, 2026：: Major shipping firms—including MSC, Maersk, Cosco, Hapag-Lloyd, and ONE—ceased passage through the Strait of Hormuz, suspending logistics for Gulf nations.

March 1, 2026：: Coalition of top shipping firms formally halted passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

March 6, 2026：: Shanghai Containerized Freight Index showed the rate for a 20-foot container from China to the Persian Gulf had jumped 135% to $2,287 from $980 before the conflict. Emergency surcharges were imposed: $150 per container by CMA CGM and MSC, $200 by Maersk.

By March 8, 2026：: Airspace closures and flight cancellations had grounded nearly half of air cargo capacity departing from the Middle East and South Asia, affecting about 15% of global cargo capacity.

March 11, 2026：: CMA CGM announced resumption of import/export bookings for Gulf countries, avoiding the Strait of Hormuz via alternative routes. Qatar Airways Cargo reported operations remained suspended due to airspace closures. Financial Times reported the blockade could lead to severe food shortages in the region.

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