Middle East port operational update: Thursday, March 12
OPERATIONS at the Omani port of Salalah remain suspended following strikes yesterday which engulfed the port in flames.
Airspace across most Middle East Gulf countries is reopening on a restricted basis. While some countries remain closed, the majority have resumed limited operations with a reduced number of flights. As a result, crew changes may be possible in certain locations but remain constrained and subject to local conditions.
United Arab Emirates
- Jebel Ali, Hamriyah and Sharjah port, all terminal port operations are normal.
- Fujairah and Khor Fakkan, Fujairah Oil Tanker Terminal — Has resumed operations.
- ADNOC SPM Terminal — Currently, there are no vessels at ADNOC SPMs; however, vessels are at anchorage awaiting cargo operations, possibly tonight or tomorrow.
Deslopping, bunkering operations, and husbandry services are proceeding smoothly without any major delays or interruptions.
Local port authorities have not issued any alerts at this time. However, navigational warning No. 01/2026 has been disseminated, addressing reported incidents of intermittent GPS signal spoofing and jamming in offshore areas of Fujairah. These disruptions may lead to a loss of positional accuracy, erratic vessel movements on Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), and potentially misleading positional information. Mariners are advised to consider this area as high risk.
Vopak terminals have suspended operations at their SPM until further notice due to multiple drone threats reported in the early hours of March 9th. They are performing operations through FOTT (OTB) berths. (updated) - Ras al Khaimah ports remain open and are operating normally.
- Ruwais and Abu Dhabi petroleum ports are operational. Ruwais PPA (ISPS level 2) & Abu Dhabi Ports ( ISPS Level 1). Abu Dhabi Ports confirmed that all UAE ports managed and operated by AD ports remain fully open and are operating as usual.
Kuwait
- No alerts / notifications / circulars from the Kuwait port authorities.
- Presently, no stoppage of operations has been reported, and no official information from the port authorities.
- All ports controlled by KOTC MINA TANK, Mina al Ahmadi, Mina Abdulla and Mina Al Zour are operational.
- All vessels currently bound for Shuaiba port must redirect to Shuwaikh port to discharge their cargo. This instruction applies provided that the vessel’s draft does not exceed 9.6 metres. Please note that all manifests will be automatically transferred to Shuwaikh port. Please note that this applies exclusively to container vessels.
Oman
- Operations at Salalah suspended following drone strikes earlier today. Port evacuated as a precaution. (updated)
- Ports working normally: Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat, Mina al Fahal, Port of Sohar , Qalhat LNG Terminal — Sur, OMIFCO Terminal — Port of Duqm, Asyad Drydock — Duqm
- ISPS Level: 1
Saudi Arabia
- There are presently no alerts or warnings issued by the local port authorities. All operational activities are functioning at full capacity.
- Saudi Arabia’s national carrier confirmed flights suspended for Bahrain, Kuwait, Amman, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Russia and Peshawar.
Bahrain
- APM Terminals confirmed operations at Khalifa Bin Salman Port are suspended from March 12 to March 13 on government advice, including all gate and berth operations. (updated)
- Vessel movements in Bahrain had gradually resumed; however, operations remain limited due to the restricted availability of pilots.
- Operations at Bahrain’s national energy company Bapco Energies remain suspended after an attack struck its refinery complex, prompting the group to issue a formal force majeure notice.
- At present, crew changes are not feasible as the airspace remains closed.
- ISPS security level remains at Level 1.
Qatar
- Hamad Port, Doha port, Al Ruwais port — Normal port operations and vessel movement. Al Ruwais port is restricted to small craft only, including dhows and barges.
- Mesaieed port and Ras Laffan port — port operations ongoing. QatarEnergy has ceased production of LNG and associated products.
- Al Shaheen Terminal and Halul Island Terminal — Operations suspended until further notice. Al Shaheen Terminal: Suspension confirmed via email from North Oil. Halul Island Terminal: Suspension confirmed via email from Qatar Energy Halul.
- The official security status remains at Security Level 1. However, as a proactive measure, all vessels are requested to exercise heightened caution and vigilance.
- The Ministry of Transport has advised that, to maintain supply chain continuity, shipping lines may route raw materials and consumer goods destined for Hamad Port via designated alternative ports in Oman and the UAE, with maritime agencies required to coordinate with the relevant port authorities and notify the Ministry accordingly. First Alternative — Sohar and Duqm port. Second Alternative — Fujairah and Khorfakkan port.
- Following the temporary authorisation from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority confirming a partial resumption of air flight movement, Hamad International airport will operate a limited number of repatriation flights for stranded passengers. The temporary closure of Qatar’s airspace remains in effect due to the current situation in the region.
Egypt
- The Suez Canal and all Egyptian ports remain fully operational.
- ISPS level remains at Level 1.
- Airspace remains open, with no operational impact reported.
Jordan
- Jordan remains stable. Authorities continue to issue general public-awareness guidelines purely as precautionary measures. There are no security incidents inside Jordan.
- Jordan has closed its airspace from 1800 hrs to 0900 hrs local time daily, effective immediately and until further notice. This affects arriving, departing, and transit flights within the closure window.
- All operations remain normal at Aqaba port. Terminals, marine services, cargo handling, and gate operations are functioning without disruption. Maritime navigation and cargo operations are proceeding smoothly and without delay.
- Royal Jordanian and the Jordanian airspace remain open, flights to Qatar, UAE, Syria, Bahrain and Kuwait remain closed. (updated)
Pakistan
- All ports remain fully operational.
- ISPS level remains at Level 1.
- Airspace remains open, with no operational impact reported.
Iraq
- No damage at Umm Qasr.
- Basra Oil Terminal and SPM Somo Terminal have ceased export operations.
- No port restrictions or emergency measures in place.
- Fresh water supply available.
- Food purchasing/provisioning available.
- Crew change is available, but there is a delay in issuing the visa.
- Shore leave (for emergency medical treatment) available.
Cyprus
- No official cancellations for vessel operations.
- Airspace is open; however, flights are being cancelled, impacting crew change arrangements.
Lebanon
- All ports remain operational, with no alerts or warnings issued by the local port authorities so far. South of Lebanon is in an unstable operational situation.
- ISPS level remains at Level 1.
- Airspace remains open and operating only Middle East Airlines flights.
- Both the private and public sectors are operating normally.
Israel
- Besides restrictions on DG, every port is working as normal.
- No ship has left Israel or was forced to leave outside its schedule.
- Airspace is now open but restricted. Flights are coming in and out of Israel on a limited basis, with restrictions (max 50 passengers out per flight), landing every hour, operating 24 hours a day.
Source: Inchcape Shipping Services — the appointed Lloyd’s Agents in UAE, Oman, Kuwait Qatar and Iraq. Status last updated March 12, 1000 hrs UAE local time
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