Uncertainty has been growing in the Persian Gulf steel market in recent weeks, as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to affect established trade flows and logistics schemes. Cargo movement has become less predictable, while cargo transportation conditions remain extremely volatile, prompting market participants to act cautiously. At the same time, concerns began to arise about potential supply constraints, leading to increased efforts to identify alternative routes and workable logistics solutions.
Egyptian Red Sea ports have become key beneficiaries of this shift, reporting increased cargo activity as shipments are diverted from the Persian Gulf. According to local media reports, some steel cargoes are unloaded at the Red Sea locks and then routed further via land connections to the Persian Gulf markets, although longer transit times and additional handling requirements have increased overall logistics costs.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is strengthening its domestic logistics capabilities by expanding its cargo transportation network to support cross-border freight traffic through the GCC. According to official statements, this is aimed at ensuring a smoother distribution of cargo, especially for cargo arriving through the ports of the Red Sea.
At the same time, the Oman-Emirates corridor has gained importance as an alternative route, with ports such as Sohar increasingly being used as entry points for diverted cargo. According to regional reports, this corridor
