Persian Gulf importers race to reroute as Hormuz closure jolts supply chains

Crisis leads to destination diversions, overland routes

According to Kpler, 81 container vessels were bound for ports inside the Strait of Hormuz on February 28, just before the war erupted. Since then, 43 have rerouted to other gulf ports, with the rest diverted away from the gulf region entirely.

Due to its arid climate, the bulk of the gulf's food is imported, with around 70 per cent passing through the Strait of Hormuz and onwards to major ports like Dubai's Jebel Ali.

While the blockage has affected all imports, including consumer and industrial goods, food supplies are particularly vulnerable.

As an example, Christophe Belloc, of French fruit and vegetable industry association Interfel, pointed to shipments totalling around 5,000 tonnes of French apples bound for Dubai but currently stuck in transit.