Feeder services to alternate ports and multi-modal connectivity is supporting trade between India and the United Arab Emirates but high freight rates remain a concern for exporters.
DP World which operates the largest port in West Asia at Jebel Ali has said inland flows have been scaled up to 1500 trucks per day carrying bonded cargo from Khor Fakkan and Fujairah ports in the UAE.
Shipping lines are operating services to ports like Khor Fakkan, Fujairah, Sohar and Salalah as the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked. From these ports goods are being carried inland on trucks to their respective destinations.
Prioritised Transport
“Our co-ordinated response across connected gateways is enabling cargo to move through multi modal corridors and maintaining the flow of goods to Jebel Ali which remains the main UAE hub for customs clearance and distribution,” said Ahmad Yousef Al-Hassan, CEO and managing director, DP World GCC.
Al-Hassan said DP World has prioritised transport of food, pharmaceuticals and other critical items. Additional cold chain infrastructure including a reefer pit stop for maintaining desired temperature of refrigerated units have been deployed. Coordination with customs and other regional authorities is ensuring resilience of supply chains, he added.
Erratic Shipping
UAE is India’s largest trading partner in the West Asia region with an annual volume of around $100 billion in FY 2025. Trade and investments between the two countries have surged following the signing of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in 2022.
While alternate supply routes have been charted, exporters are complaining of high freight rates and erratic shipping services.
India’s commerce ministry has been working with local exporters to streamline trade flows. Earlier this month commerce minister Piyush Goyal held discussion with UAE’s minister for foreign trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and stressed the need for co-ordinated efforts for smooth trade operations.
“We have made a representation to the government about the challenges. Shipping Corporation of India is considering feeder services to Khor Fakkan in the UAE and that could help in lowering freight rates for our exporters,” said Ajay Sahai, Director General and CEO of Federation of Indian Export Organisations.
Maersk, world’s second largest container line, said it has adjusted its network by introducing alternate gateway ports like Khor Fakkan, Salalah, Sohar, Jeddah and Aqaba. “This has ensured continuity of business for reefers and essential commodities which are important to Middle Eastern countries. Leveraging on our intermodal capabilities we have also ensured connectivity into Jebel Ali via Khor Fakkan,” said Bhavik Mota, Maersk’s Director (regional ocean management, Indian sub-continent, Middle East and Africa).
Published on April 29, 2026