Shipping Services Shift to Alternative West Asian Routes
The ongoing conflict in West Asia has significantly disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping chokepoint. In response, shipping operators have rapidly expanded alternative trade and logistics routes connecting India with ports located east of Hormuz and along the Red Sea.
Government data shows that the number of shipping services operating on these alternative routes increased from 127 in February to 257 in April before stabilizing at 245 services in May. The sharp rise highlights the growing reliance on diversified maritime corridors to maintain trade flows between India and West Asia.
India Adopts Multimodal Logistics Strategy
To mitigate supply chain disruptions caused by restricted vessel movements in the Persian Gulf, authorities and logistics providers have implemented a multimodal transportation strategy for essential imports.
This approach combines maritime and overland transport networks to ensure the uninterrupted movement of critical commodities, particularly fertilisers and industrial raw materials.
Fertiliser Cargo Rerouted Through Saudi Arabia
Several India-bound fertiliser shipments stranded in Persian Gulf facilities are being rerouted through Saudi Arabia. Cargo is first offloaded at Gulf terminals and then transported by road across the kingdom to Yanbu Port on the Red Sea.
From Yanbu, the fertiliser is reloaded onto vessels destined for Indian ports, creating an alternative supply chain that bypasses congestion and security concerns in the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Highlights
- Shipping services on alternative West Asia routes rose from 127 in February to 257 in April.
- Services remained strong at 245 in May despite ongoing regional tensions.
- Vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz have been severely restricted.
- India has adopted a multimodal logistics model to protect critical import supplies.
- Fertiliser cargo is being transported overland across Saudi Arabia to Yanbu Port
- Red Sea shipping corridors are emerging as key alternatives for India-West Asia trade.
- Diversified logistics networks are helping reduce supply chain risks and maintain trade continuity.
