COSCO Shipping (COSCO) has reopened bookings for general cargo moving from the Far East to several Middle East destinations, introducing alternative multimodal routings to work around the ongoing security disruptions in the region.
New bookings are now being accepted for shipments bound for the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq and Oman.
The company said the arrangements are effective immediately but remain subject to space availability and evolving conditions in the Middle East.
According to its March 25 advisory, three transport options are currently in place: UAE cargo (Abu Dhabi and Jebel Ali) moved via a bonded land bridge from Khorfakkan or Fujairah; upper Gulf destinations which is routed through the same land bridge into Abu Dhabi CSP, then connected to the carrier's feeder network for onward delivery to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq; and Oman cargo, transshipped via Nhava Sheva, India, before moving onward to Sohar.
The carrier cautioned that the arrangements may change at short notice due to the volatile regional situation.
Customers were advised to contact local agents or sales representatives for booking details, freight rates and terms of carriage.
Bookings already accepted before the advisory was issued will not be affected. The company said it will continue monitoring developments and will provide further updates through its official channels.
COSCO's booking update comes as the carrier is simultaneously winding down its direct Asia–Middle East services under the Ocean Alliance. The company has suspended its MEA5 loop — a seven‑ship megamax service calling Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port and Dammam — due to the escalating conflict in Iran and the resulting shutdown of vessel movements in the Arabian Gulf.
According to Alphaliner, only the 19,273‑TEU COSCO Shipping Aquarius remains active on the rotation, currently diverted to Sohar, Oman, while the rest of the fleet has been withdrawn.
The suspension leaves MEA1 as the alliance's only remaining Asia–Middle East loop, now rerouted to avoid the Strait of Hormuz.
