Europe-Gulf Road Freight Expands as Hormuz Disruptions Prolong Shipping Delays

Ongoing disruption around the Strait of Hormuz is encouraging more companies to shift cargo from sea to road between Europe and the Gulf. Logistics providers are expanding overland services through Turkey as businesses place greater emphasis on reliable delivery despite significantly higher transportation costs.

Dubai-listed Aramex is currently moving European cargo to Dubai by truck in around two weeks and has completed more than 100 trips on the route, according to AGBI. The company said demand is substantially exceeding available trucking capacity, with its fleet of up to 800 vehicles fully utilized alongside leased and owner-operated trucks.

The gap between road and sea transit times has widened sharply. Aramex said Europe-Gulf shipments that previously took around 30 days by sea can now require 60-80 days, including port delays. This has made road transport more attractive for businesses seeking to avoid extended supply disruptions.

Turkey becomes a key route for Europe-Gulf cargo

The emerging land corridor links European manufacturing and trading hubs with the Gulf through Turkey, Syria and Jordan, before continuing toward Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Cargo currently moving along the route includes raw materials, construction products and spare parts from countries such as Germany, France and Turkey.

Other logistics companies are also increasing their use of the corridor. DP World has launched a road freight service connecting western Europe with the Gulf through Turkey, with capacity of up to 50 trucks per week. The company reportedly plans to expand its truck fleet by around 40% as businesses seek alternatives to routes dependent on Hormuz.

Turkey's role in developing regional road connections has consequently gained greater attention. The International Road Transport Union said in September that geopolitical disruptions are increasing demand for faster and more predictable supply-chain alternatives, including routes through Syria linking Turkey, Europe and the Gulf Cooperation Council region.

Truck movements rise sharply in Dubai

Trade data from Dubai also indicate growing reliance on road transportation.

The number of loaded trucks crossing the Hatta Customs Crossing increased by around 160% year on year to nearly 109,000 during the first half of 2026.

The value of trade passing through the crossing climbed even more sharply, rising 175% to AED37.08 billion during the same period.

Road transport is also gaining importance for smaller energy cargoes within the Gulf. S&P Global reported in mid-September that shipments of smaller gasoline and bunker-fuel parcels by truck had increased significantly as traders looked to avoid Hormuz crossings.

Cargoes of up to 5,000 tons are being divided among dozens of trucks for transportation between Gulf ports, demonstrating that the disruption is affecting logistics beyond conventional container shipping.

Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb risks keep alternatives relevant

Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains heavily restricted. Preliminary Kpler data showed only four commodity vessels passing through the strait on September 17, compared with a 10-day average of around 16 vessels.

At the same time, heightened tensions around Yemen have increased concerns over the Bab el-Mandeb route, adding further uncertainty to maritime supply chains.

Road freight cannot replace shipping for large-volume cargoes because of its higher costs and limited capacity. However, the widening difference in transit times is making overland transport increasingly viable for time-sensitive shipments.

For polymer and chemical markets, the expanding Europe-Gulf road corridor could provide an additional supply option when prolonged maritime transit threatens inventories, deliveries or production schedules.

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