Shipping giant Maersk said it is possible to maintain food and medicine supply lines through alternative land routes in the Gulf region, despite the war, according to the company’s regional director to Reuters on Thursday (26).
The war, which began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran late last month, followed by Iranian attacks across the region and the almost complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has virtually paralyzed shipping in the Gulf region, disrupting global supply chains.
Danish container shipping group AP Moller-Maersk is using a “land bridge” system, involving ports such as Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Salalah and Sohar in Oman, and Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates, to receive cargo before transporting it overland to destinations across the Gulf region.
Charles van der Steene, regional managing director for the Middle East, based in Dubai, said in an interview that Maersk is expanding the network and coordinating with governments across the Gulf, who have introduced faster procedures to speed up deliveries.
While the priority is to transport essential goods such as food and medicine, there is still capacity available on these alternative routes, he added.
The Chairman of the Board of Maersk declared on Wednesday (25) that the , which were interrupted by the war. Gulf Cooperation Council countries import up to 85% of their food, according to the World Economic Forum.
