Why “congestion” is the wrong word
Congestion normally means too many ships and boxes for the terminal to handle: long vessel queues, full yards and slow gate times. What is reported at Jebel Ali in 2026 is the opposite problem. Container shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively halted since 28 February, so fewer vessels arrive and many carriers have suspended or reduced Gulf services.
A reporter visiting in early September found the port largely idle, with DP World spending roughly $100 million a month to keep it ready to return to full capacity within 48 hours once normal shipping resumes. Tracked transits through the strait had fallen to a handful a day, down from about 90 before the conflict. A tracker based on IMF PortWatch data recorded 4 transits on 4 October against a typical 85 a day, though it only counts ships broadcasting AIS, so true flow is probably somewhat higher.
Where the congestion has moved
Cargo that cannot reach Jebel Ali by sea is moving through other ports and by road. Reports from the ground describe trucks queueing for up to 12 hours at the east-coast ports of Khor Fakkan and Fujairah, compared with a turnaround of about 27 minutes at Jebel Ali in normal times, and overland routing costing roughly four to five times more. Carrier Maersk noted in April that long-haul land-bridge capacity was very limited and expensive, so this is not a simple substitute at scale.
Your routing options right now
| Option | How it works | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Oman corridor (Sohar, Salalah, Duqm) | Ships discharge at an Omani port. Cargo is cleared in Oman and trucked under bond into the UAE, for example via Al Wajajah or Hatta. | Oman customs and HS-code accuracy, border crossing times, trucking availability, vessel schedules |
| UAE east-coast ports (Khor Fakkan, Fujairah) | Cargo discharges on the Gulf of Oman coast, then moves by truck to Dubai and other emirates. | Gate and truck queues, higher inland haulage costs, limited capacity |
| Wait for Jebel Ali direct service | Keep booking to Jebel Ali and wait for normal Hormuz transit to resume. | Schedule uncertainty, possible discharge at another port by the carrier, surcharges |
JW Marine & Freight runs a combined road and sea route from the UAE to the Port of Duqm and on to Nhava Sheva in India, and back. If it suits your cargo, see our guide to the alternate route to the UAE bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
What importers and exporters should do now
- Confirm the service. Ask your carrier whether your vessel will call at Jebel Ali or discharge elsewhere, and get any surcharges in writing.
- Plan trucking early. Overland capacity is tight, so book cross-border haulage before the vessel arrives.
- Get customs right the first time. Classify HS codes correctly and prepare documents before arrival, since errors cascade through multi-country routes. Our guide to customs clearance across key UAE ports and free zones covers the documents involved.
- Check your insurance. Confirm that cover applies on the alternative route, including any war-risk requirements.
- Build in buffer time. Add days to delivery promises and consider holding stock inside the UAE for time-critical items.
- Ask for a door-to-door quote. Compare total cost and transit time across routes, not just the sea freight rate.
How JW Marine & Freight can help
We handle sea, air and road freight forwarding and customs clearance from our Dubai office, so we can compare routes for your cargo and manage each leg under one booking. Send us your cargo details, origin and destination and we will tell you what is practical today.
Common questions.
Is Jebel Ali Port congested right now?
Not in the usual sense. Portcast rated congestion at Jebel Ali as low for the week of 27 September to 3 October 2026, with a median vessel wait of about 0.37 days. The larger issue is access: the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed to container shipping since 28 February 2026, so far fewer ships are reaching the port.
Is Jebel Ali Port open?
Terminal operators have reported port operations as normal, for example in an Inchcape Shipping Services advisory dated 3 August 2026. In practice, volumes are very low because few container vessels can transit the Strait of Hormuz. Always confirm with your carrier whether your vessel is calling at Jebel Ali.
Why are Jebel Ali container volumes down?
Reported figures show Jebel Ali handled about 374,000 TEU in the second quarter of 2026, roughly 90% lower than a year earlier. The main reason is restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, not terminal capacity.
Where is cargo going instead of Jebel Ali?
Many shippers are using Oman’s ports (Sohar, Salalah and Duqm) with road transport into the UAE, and UAE east-coast ports such as Khor Fakkan and Fujairah, where cargo then moves by truck. Each option has its own capacity limits, costs and customs steps.
Can I still ship to or from Dubai by sea?
Yes, but routing and schedules depend on the carrier and the cargo. A forwarder can compare options, such as an Oman corridor or an east-coast port, and quote the full door-to-door route.
How long will the disruption last?
No one can say with certainty. Port operator DP World has said it is keeping Jebel Ali ready to return to full capacity within 48 hours of normal shipping resuming, but that depends on the Strait of Hormuz reopening to container traffic.
- Semafor: Gulf’s biggest port Jebel Ali waits for the war to end (2 Sep 2026) ↗
- Portcast: Port congestion at Jebel Ali (data to 3 Oct 2026) ↗
- Inchcape Shipping Services: Middle East operational status (3 Aug 2026) ↗
- Strait of Hormuz status tracker (11 Oct 2026) ↗
- Maersk: Shipments inside the Straits of Hormuz (23 Apr 2026) ↗
- GetTransport: Strait of Hormuz bypass, UAE shipper guide (23 Jul 2026) ↗
This article summarises publicly reported information and is not legal, insurance or investment advice. Port and shipping conditions change quickly; confirm current status with your carrier or port operator before booking.
