Strait of Hormuz Disruption Chokes Gulf Trade as Ships Divert, Flights Crawl Back and Food Supply Risks Rise

The growing disruption around the Strait of Hormuz is beginning to strain the economic lifelines of the Gulf region, with container shipping routes blocked, cargo vessels diverting and aviation networks only slowly resuming operations as the war involving Iran, the United States and Israel continues to destabilise global trade corridors.

Maritime tracking data from MarineTraffic shows that vessel crossings through the strategic waterway have dropped dramatically, with traffic estimated to be down by between 88% and 100% compared with normal levels. The slowdown has effectively blocked access to major Gulf container hubs including Jebel Ali in Dubai, Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi, Dammam in Saudi Arabia and ports across Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait.

Representational Image Via: MarineTraffic on X

The disruption is particularly alarming because the Arabian Peninsula relies heavily on imported food supplies routed through these shipping hubs. More than 50 million people in the region depend on containerised food imports, as local agriculture remains extremely limited and most Gulf countries import over 90% of their food.

Shipping data illustrates the scale of the disruption. MarineTraffic reported that 49 container vessels that had listed Dubai’s Jebel Ali port as their next destination on February 28 remain outside the Persian Gulf. Those ships represent about 329,661 TEU of cargo capacity.

Of those vessels, 18 are still planning to enter the Gulf, while 31 have already diverted to alternative ports including Sohar in Oman and the UAE’s eastern ports of Fujairah and Khor Fakkan, which lie outside the Strait of Hormuz and allow ships to avoid the choke point.

Strait of Hormuz traffic since March 2.

Source: @MarineTraffic pic.twitter.com/6pdxhxKoTX

— HFI Research (@HFI_Research) March 5, 2026

Across the wider region, at least 53 vessels have already rerouted their voyages while others remain waiting outside the strait as shipping companies assess the risks of entering the area. The world’s largest container carrier, MSC, has gone further by declaring an “end of voyage” for some shipments bound for Arabian Gulf ports, signalling that cargo contracts may effectively terminate outside the region if vessels cannot safely proceed.

The disruption at sea is mirrored in the skies. Dubai’s airports, among the world’s busiest aviation hubs linking Asia, Europe and Africa, are only gradually restoring operations after days of near-total shutdown triggered by the widening conflict.

Dubai Airports chief executive Paul Griffiths said flights have resumed on a limited basis at both Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central, with authorities monitoring the situation closely as stranded passengers are gradually moved through the system.

The #Emirates flight EK362, the first #flight from #Dubai to #China since Dubai airport's reopening, landed in #Guangzhou last night. pic.twitter.com/ZE3viDFmC9

— Shanghai Daily (@shanghaidaily) March 5, 2026

Emirates airline has extended the suspension of most scheduled flights until March 7 due to continuing airspace restrictions, though a limited schedule is operating to help passengers return home.

Scots returning from Dubai are greeted at Edinburgh Airport.

More than 300 people were returned to Scotland from Dubai on Tuesday, with families breaking down in tears of relief as they embraced their loved ones 👇

𝘝𝘐𝘋𝘌𝘖: 𝘗𝘈 𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢 pic.twitter.com/yE2D9cUb8Q

— The Herald (@heraldscotland) March 5, 2026

Some evacuation and repatriation flights have already begun arriving in Europe and Asia. Dublin Airport confirmed that the first flight from Dubai in nearly five days landed late Wednesday night carrying more than 360 passengers, with emotional reunions taking place in the arrivals hall after days of travel disruption.

An emotional arrivals hall last night as the first flight from Dubai arrived into Dublin after almost five days. ❤️✈️

Families, friends and loved ones finally reunited. pic.twitter.com/RBUOcuS6zI

— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) March 5, 2026

Other flights have also begun reconnecting long-distance routes. An Emirates flight from Dubai to Guangzhou marked the first direct connection between the UAE hub and China since the airport partially reopened.

Beyond transport networks, the wider economic impact is spreading into energy markets as well. Market analysts from Kpler say disruptions to Qatari liquefied natural gas shipments are likely to keep European gas prices elevated for at least the next two months.

Europe’s vulnerability is compounded by relatively low storage levels, with underground gas reserves across the European Union only about 30% full in early March. Qatar supplied around 8% of LNG imports to the EU and United Kingdom last year, meaning any sustained disruption could ripple through the continent’s interconnected energy system.

Meanwhile inside Iran, digital communications remain severely restricted as the government maintains a nationwide internet shutdown that has now lasted more than 120 hours. Monitoring group NetBlocks said connectivity remains at roughly 1% of normal levels, and warned that telecommunications companies have begun threatening legal action against users attempting to bypass the blackout.

Together, the collapse of shipping routes, disruptions to aviation and tightening energy markets highlight how the widening Iran war is rapidly reshaping global trade and supply chains far beyond the battlefield.