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Two of the biggest seaports in the Middle East continue to be congested, with delays of at least five days for freight movements, according to a DHL report
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Jebel Ali Port in the United Arab Emirates, the busiest in the region, and King Abdulaziz Port or Dammam Port in Saudi Arabia, the largest oil exporter, were both marked “red” for delays in the DHL Ocean Freight Port Situation Update for May 2026
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Asia Pacific, on the other hand, was “broadly stable and fluid” with some ports seeing moderate delays and equipment shortages.
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Within southeast Asia, Manila had the longest delays at 2-5 days while the rest were mostly in the “green,” which means no delays or up to a maximum of two days
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In north and south America, port operations are generally manageable, with localized congestion and moderate delays in several areas such as in Canada and the United States West Coast
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Conditions in Europe are gradually stabilizing with tight capacity and inland constraints in the north while the south sees improving yard density and stable inland flows
Two of the biggest seaports in the Middle East continue to be congested, with delays of at least five days for freight movements, according to a DHL report on the situation of key ports across the world.
Jebel Ali Port in the United Arab Emirates, the busiest in the region, and King Abdulaziz Port or Dammam Port in Saudi Arabia, the largest oil exporter, were both marked “red” for delays in the DHL Ocean Freight Port Situation Update for May 2026.
The “Gulf and Indian Ocean region is facing critical disruption, with severe congestion and prolonged delays significantly impacting operations. Outside of this, the rest of the Middle East & Africa remains largely stable and on schedule, with only isolated moderate delays and minor constraints,” DHL said.
The region’s situation is within the context of the continued limited passage across the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that was closed and continues to be controlled by Iran after it was attacked by the United States and Israel on February 28. Peace deal negotiations between the US and Iran was still ongoing as of May 22.
Asia Pacific, on the other hand, was “broadly stable and fluid” with some ports seeing moderate delays and equipment shortages.
Within southeast Asia, Manila had the longest delays at 2-5 days while the rest were mostly in the “green,” which means no delays or just up to a maximum of two days.
In north and south America, port operations are “generally manageable but uneven, with localized congestion and moderate delays in several areas.”
Canada and the United States West Coast are most strained with multiple ports facing significant delays and some equipment pressure, though inland flows remain stable and not a major constraint.
Latin American counties in the Atlantic side are under pressure with persistent 2–5 days delays, widespread equipment shortages, hinterland bottlenecks, and isolated severe congestion such as in Paranaguá, Brazil.
Across Europe, conditions are gradually stabilizing but remain uneven, with tight capacity and inland constraints in the north while the south sees improving yard density and stable inland flows despite ongoing schedule volatility.
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