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New Middle East Shipping Route Bypasses Strait of Hormuz
2 May
Summary
- A new shipping service connects Europe to Middle East ports via trucking.
- The route avoids the blocked Strait of Hormuz, using Saudi Arabia's landmass.
- This multi-modal solution addresses increased demand amid regional challenges.
A new maritime service is set to launch on May 10, connecting Europe with Middle Eastern ports by circumventing the Strait of Hormuz. Container carrier MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co. SA announced this alternative route, which involves trucking cargo across Saudi Arabia and utilizing feeder vessels within the Persian Gulf.
The service begins in Antwerp, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, and Spain before crossing the Suez Canal. Ships will call at Jeddah and King Abdullah ports on Saudi Arabia's west coast. From there, trucks will transport goods approximately 800 miles to Dammam on the east coast.
Feeder vessels will then connect to maritime gateways in Abu Dhabi and Dubai's Jebel Ali. This multi-modal approach addresses restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, offering a longer but necessary alternative for multinational companies reliant on containerized cargo. Other carriers like Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk are also establishing similar land bridge solutions.
