ports

Overland Gulf Routes Gain Traction Amid Hormuz Transit Uncertainty

Supply chain managers are increasingly favoring overland routes across the Gulf region as authority disputes over Strait of Hormuz transits intensify. Iran has claimed unilateral control over vessel movements, routes, and timing through the waterway, contradicting international maritime procedures. The escalating confusion follows an attack on Evergreen's Ever Lovely on Thursday while transiting Oman's Southern Corridor. This incident undermined an IMO evacuation program that had safely moved 115 vessels. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez suspended the evacuation initiative pending guarantees from all conflict parties that additional attacks would not occur. Disputes over interpretations of an Iran-US hostilities suspension agreement have fueled disagreements about which vessels qualify for passage and authorized routes. Dominguez indicated that broader diplomatic clarification of the accord could help establish clearer transit guidelines. Industry observers expect overland corridors established since conflict onset to remain the preferred alternative for shipments avoiding Hormuz risks.