Port of Jeddah could become a solution during blockage of the Strait of Hormuz

The Red Sea port of Jeddah is preparing to expand operations in the coming weeks. With restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf airspace, terminals on the Saudi west coast that used to receive fewer than five ships on their platforms in a single afternoon now represent a safer route to the region.

About three hours to the north, a 1,100 km gas pipeline was adapted to take Saudi oil to Yanbu, also on the Red Sea, boosting traffic in the region, which has grown by about a third since the start of the conflict, according to Saudi officials.

Ensuring the arrival of supplies is also crucial, as the region imports around 85% of its food. Attacks between the US, Israel and Iran affected Gulf ports, disrupting import and export chains.

Since the start of the war, more than 60 ships en route to ports in the Gulf have had to change route. Some have returned to their bases in China and India, according to MarineTraffic data shared with CNN. Some headed towards ports on the Arabian Peninsula along the Arabian Sea and Red Sea, others chose more distant regional ports.

The Omani ports of Sohar and Salalah, the Emirati port of Khor Fakkan and the Saudi port of Jeddah have emerged as the necessary alternatives to deliver shipments directly to the Arabian Peninsula.

As the war progresses, concerns about supplying supermarkets and pharmacies grow. Charles van der Steene, regional director for shipping giant Maersk, said shipping companies are working with local governments to set priorities.

He also adds that food and medicine are the priority to ensure that the population can receive what they need for their daily lives.

As the only country that borders all of its Arab neighbors in the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia launched a logistics initiative to facilitate land transport to these countries, with more than 94,000 trucks crossing borders. In this scenario, Jeddah gains prominence as the main gateway and could register an increase of up to 50% in arrivals.

Despite this, risks persist. Attacks on nearby energy facilities and the possibility of escalating the conflict still worry the sector. Although the Red Sea has become a more reliable route, companies remain cautious and evaluate alternatives if the situation worsens.