Global Corporate Moving continues to be shaped by changes across shipping networks, port capacity and regional operating conditions. New UAE port investment could provide additional routing options outside the Strait of Hormuz over the longer term, while record global port congestion is placing pressure on shipping capacity and freight rates. Continued investment in container fleets is also reshaping global carrier rankings. At the same time, earthquake damage in Colombia and industrial action at major German ports are affecting transport and logistics operations. Organisations managing international relocations should remain attentive to operational conditions, allow flexibility in shipment planning and maintain close coordination with relocation providers.
New UAE port capacity strengthens alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz
Major port investment on the UAE’s east coast is creating additional cargo-handling capacity outside the Strait of Hormuz as governments and logistics operators adapt regional transport networks to continued instability.
DP World has reached an agreement in principle with Fujairah Ports Authority for a 50-year concession covering the Al Rugaylat container and multipurpose terminal and the Dibba general cargo terminal. Located on the Gulf of Oman, the facilities will provide access to the UAE without requiring vessels to navigate the Strait of Hormuz, where attacks, restrictions and military operations have disrupted commercial traffic.
Al Rugaylat is planned as a deepwater gateway with annual capacity of 2.5 million TEU, 1.7 million tonnes of general cargo and 190,000 car equivalent units. Dibba will provide a further 3.6 million tonnes of annual general cargo capacity. Once operational, the developments are expected to increase DP World’s UAE container capacity from 19.4 million TEU to almost 22 million TEU. Construction is expected to take between 24 and 30 months and will be completed in phases.
The facilities will connect with Jebel Ali and the Jebel Ali Free Zone through DP World’s inland logistics network, supporting cargo movements between the UAE’s Gulf and Indian Ocean-facing coasts.
Further capacity expansion is also planned at Khorfakkan Commercial Terminal, another UAE port located outside the Strait of Hormuz. Gulftainer plans to increase capacity from 3.5 million TEU to 5 million TEU, with a longer-term target exceeding 10 million TEU. The port will connect with Al Dhaid and Sajaa logistics parks, which are expected to provide 2.3 million TEU of inland capacity.
These investments form part of a wider reconfiguration of regional transport infrastructure and could provide additional routing options and capacity for cargo moving through the UAE over the longer term.
Global container port congestion reaches record level
Global container port congestion has risen beyond the absolute levels recorded during the Covid era, with 4.3 million TEU currently waiting to berth at ports worldwide. This exceeds the previous peak of 4 million TEU recorded during the pandemic, although the proportion of the global fleet affected remains lower at 12.6%, compared with 15.7% in 2022.
East Asia is contributing significantly to the increase following successive tropical storms that disrupted Chinese port operations and vessel schedules. Recent data shows 139 vessels waiting at Shanghai and 77 at Ningbo, with waiting times at Shanghai’s Yangshan terminals reaching five to six days for some services and seven to eight days for others.
Schedule reliability remains around 60–65%, with late vessels arriving an average of five to five-and-a-half days behind schedule, compared with three to four days before the pandemic. The resulting capacity pressure is contributing to higher freight rates alongside continued disruption linked to the Iran conflict and wider shipping networks. The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index is now 156% higher than when the Iran conflict began, while the S&P Global Platts Container Index reached US$7,565 per FEU on 21 August, its highest level this year.
Further pressure could emerge from the Panama Canal from September as below-normal rainfall leads to reduced daily transit availability. Neopanamax slots are expected to fall to nine per day from 3 September, with total Panamax availability reducing further from 15 September. Organisations should therefore continue to allow additional lead time and flexibility when planning international shipments.
CMA CGM expected to overtake Maersk in container capacity
CMA CGM is expected to overtake Maersk as the world’s second-largest container shipping line by the end of 2027, reflecting continued changes in fleet capacity among the industry’s largest carriers.
Alphaliner currently ranks Mediterranean Shipping Company first with approximately 7.3 million TEU of capacity, followed by Maersk at around 4.7 million TEU and CMA CGM at approximately 4.4 million TEU. Based on Linerlytica data, CMA CGM could move ahead of Maersk by July 2027 as its current vessel orderbook enters service.
The change reflects different fleet strategies across the sector. CMA CGM has continued to add capacity while expanding its terminals, logistics, air cargo and inland transport interests. Maersk has followed a more disciplined fleet strategy while increasing its focus on integrated logistics and network control.
The wider container shipping market is also entering another significant vessel delivery cycle, with a large global orderbook still due to enter service. Additional capacity could influence competition, vessel deployment and freight market conditions as new ships enter global networks.
Colombian earthquake disrupts logistics services
Transport and supply chains across parts of Colombia have been disrupted following the 7.4 magnitude earthquake on 10 August, which killed at least 304 people and injured more than 4,400. The earthquake affected large areas of western and central Colombia, with its epicentre near San José del Palmar in the Pacific Chocó region.
Road routes from Cali, Pereira, Manizales, Chocó and Buenaventura remain significantly restricted and subject to inspections and delays. Several regional airports closed following the earthquake, although Bogotá airport and the Port of Cartagena remained open.
Buenaventura, Colombia’s principal Pacific port, is operating under contingency measures after up to eight landslides restricted its main access road. While the port remains technically operational, restricted truck access is affecting the movement of cargo. Communities surrounding Buenaventura have also experienced infrastructure damage, limited access to services and communication disruption.
Authorities are making progress clearing transport corridors and assessing damaged infrastructure, although recovery is expected to take time. Moving companies in Colombia have activated business continuity measures and continue to monitor operating conditions while supporting employees, partners, clients and affected communities.
German port strikes disrupt northern European supply chains
A coordinated 24-hour strike has affected Germany’s major seaports as an ongoing pay dispute adds further pressure to congested northern European supply chains.
Workers at Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Bremen, Wilhelmshaven, Emden and Brake began industrial action following a call from services union Ver.di. Around 11,000 port workers are covered by the ongoing wage negotiations, with widespread disruption reported across Hamburg and several major container terminals.
Previous warning strikes have delayed vessel loading and unloading as well as truck and rail container movements. This raises the risk of backlogs continuing after workers return.
The dispute centres on Ver.di’s demand for an 8.2% increase in hourly wages, with a minimum increase of €2.50 per hour under a 12-month agreement. Employers represented by the Central Association of German Seaport Operators have offered a 5.1% wage increase backdated to 1 August, together with an additional €300 in holiday pay and increased allowances for workers at major container operations. The proposed agreement would run for 19 months.
More than 6,100 workers participated in Ver.di’s consultation on the proposal, with a large majority rejecting it. No date has yet been confirmed for a third round of negotiations.
Strategic considerations for organisations
Organisations managing international relocations should continue to monitor regional operating conditions and potential disruption across key transport hubs. Shipments involving Colombia and northern European ports may require additional contingency for delays, while businesses should remain attentive to changes in carrier capacity and shipping networks as new vessels and infrastructure enter service. Close coordination with relocation providers remains important to maintain shipment visibility and respond quickly to changing operational conditions.
Santa Fe Relocation continues to monitor market developments and regional conditions closely to support informed decision-making across Corporate Moving programmes. For further guidance, please contact your designated Santa Fe consultant.
Henk Schutte
Group Move Supply Chain Manager
Santa Fe Relocation