COSCO SHIPPING Resumes Bookings to the Middle East via Multimodal Transport Network

The Chinese shipping giant, COSCO SHIPPING Lines, has officially resumed accepting new bookings for general cargo containers from the Far East to key markets in the Middle East.

Restoring the Supply Chain via Multimodal Transport

In an advisory published this past Wednesday, the carrier announced the resumption of new bookings from the Far East to seven Middle Eastern countries utilizing a multimodal transport solution. The destinations include the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, and Oman. This decision takes effect immediately.

However, COSCO also issued a warning that new booking arrangements and actual transportation may still be subject to change due to the highly volatile security situation in the region. For bookings accepted by the carrier prior to the issuance of the March 25 advisory, COSCO affirmed that the new arrangements will not affect or prejudice the rights and shipping plans of those existing shipments.

To maintain the flow of goods, COSCO has established the following detailed routing solutions:

●    Local cargo to Abu Dhabi and Jebel Ali: Transported via the Bonded Land Bridge through the Ports of Khorfakkan or Fujairah.

●    Cargo bound for Upper Gulf countries: Utilizing the Bonded Land Bridge from the Ports of Khorfakkan or Fujairah to Abu Dhabi CSP, then connecting to COSCO SHIPPING Lines' feeder network for transshipment to other areas of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq.

●    Cargo bound for Oman: Transshipped via the Port of Nhava Sheva (India) to reach the Port of Sohar (Oman).
Customers are strongly advised to contact COSCO, local agents, or customer service departments directly for the latest updates on specific booking arrangements, freight rates, and terms of carriage.

Cooling Signals at the Hormuz Chokepoint

About three weeks ago, COSCO had to suspend all new bookings to and from the Middle East region (with a few exceptions) after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz to most maritime traffic.

This resumption of service coincides with Tehran's clear statement regarding granting passage through the Strait of Hormuz to vessels from non-belligerent nations. Iran has informed the United Nations' maritime agency that the strait remains open to "non-hostile" vessels with no affiliations to the US or Israel.

This development occurs against a backdrop of escalating regional tensions following conflicts involving the US, Israel, and Iran, which have severely disrupted global energy flows. In a statement issued by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the agency clarified its stance on handling vessels deemed as risks:

"Vessels, equipment, and any capacities belonging to the aggressor parties, namely the United States and the Zionist regime, as well as other participants in this aggression, do not qualify as normal and non‑hostile passage and will be dealt with in accordance with the legal framework arising from the hostilities, based on the decisions and measures of the competent Iranian authorities."

Simultaneously, the ministry's statement opens the door for neutral shipping lanes:

"Non‑hostile vessels belonging to or associated with other countries, provided they do not participate or cooperate in the aggressive operations against Iran and comply with the declared safety and security rules and measures, may benefit from safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the competent Iranian authorities."

Despite this, observers note that there are currently no signs indicating Tehran intends to relinquish its strategic negotiating leverage over this vital waterway, regardless of warnings from US President Donald Trump.

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Source: Phaata.com (According to Shipping Telegraph)

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