Disrupted Middle East transit routes squeeze sector, pushing freight costs higher and pressuring supply chains
3-MIN READ3-MIN ListenMia NurmamatPublished: 11:00pm, 11 Mar 2026Logistics companies in China are feeling the strain from the US-Israeli war on Iran, as volatile crude prices and disrupted transport routes ripple through global supply chains.With e-commerce cargo stranded in the Middle East and freight rates skyrocketing, industry insiders said they expect the fallout to last months, even as US President Donald Trump signalled the war could end soon.While some saw opportunities in alternative Central Asian corridors, Chinese businesses reliant on the region as a critical trade artery remained exposed.
But the firm’s decision had unexpectedly backfired, landing it in even deeper trouble. “We chose this route at higher costs to avoid the Red Sea tensions, but the current situation looks very bleak,” he said.
“We currently have about 100,000 tonnes of cargo stranded at the airport, mainly e-commerce parcels, and both the sellers in China and clients in Europe are extremely worried.”
