Shipping costs across the UAE and the wider Gulf are climbing sharply, driven by a combination of container shortages out of China and Italy and continued disruption to vessel traffic following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the Israel-US-Iran conflict that began on February 28, 2026.
Industry figures show shipment costs for some cargo have risen roughly tenfold, from around $1,000 to between $10,000 and $12,000, with some quotes reaching as high as $15,000. Forty-foot high-cube container rates have jumped from about $2,000 to between $7,000 and $11,000, a rise of 250 to 450 per cent. Brass prices have also climbed around 30 per cent above pre-conflict levels.
"Goods that used to take 25 days now take 60 days, sometimes 90 days," said Anis Sajan, vice chairman of Danube Group. Masna Haseen of tradeX Link added that the delays carry a heavy financial toll for importers: "Across ten containers, that adds $50,000 to $90,000."
Shipping lines have also introduced "war surcharges" on top of standard rates, and analysts expect a further 5 to 15 per cent rise during peak demand weeks, alongside an overall 25 per cent increase projected in the coming months.
With China's Mid-Autumn holiday (September 25-27) and National Day (October 1-7) approaching, traders in the UAE are racing to secure sailings before the closures, warning that missed shipments in this window could jeopardise Christmas and year-end deliveries across the region.