DUBAI, UAE: Anyone planning an international move from the UAE may notice higher quotes than a year ago. The reason lies largely in surcharges added by regional shipping disruption, not in a sharp rise in the base freight rate. ISS Relocations, a Dubai-based international relocation company, has published a guide explaining what is driving the increase and how customers can plan around it.
The UAE National Association of Freight and Logistics has said that shipping prices and related costs for cargo moving into the Gulf have risen to roughly three to five times previous levels following disruption to maritime routes. The association stressed that this does not mean the basic ocean freight rate has risen by the same amount. Instead, the increase reflects war-risk surcharges, conflict-related emergency fees, additional fuel charges and the higher cost of moving containers over longer or more complex routes, with land transport costs also rising significantly.
Where the extra cost comes from
According to the association, some cargo has been discharged at alternative ports, including Khorfakkan and Fujairah in the UAE and Sohar and Salalah in Oman, before continuing by road. Each additional step can add customs clearance, trucking and fuel costs. Reduced shipping capacity on some Gulf routes has also led to cancelled sailings and bookings moved to later vessels, widening cost differences between ports, shipping lines and routes. The association has said costs had not yet fallen from their recent peaks.
What customers can do
ISS Relocations guide sets out practical steps for anyone moving from the UAE:
- Request a fully itemised quote that lists every surcharge separately
- Ask what happens, and who pays, if cargo is rerouted to another port
- Book early, as limited capacity makes last-minute bookings harder
- Compare sea and air freight for smaller shipments
- Reduce shipment volume by selling or donating bulky items
- Use short-term storage to bridge timing gaps
- Confirm what transit insurance covers during delays and port changes