ChokepointsAnalysis
Gemini relaunch to Khor Fakkan adds capacity amid port congestion
First sailing departs Qingdao 17 October as UAE gateway shows signs of pressure from volumes shifted outside Strait of Hormuz.
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd will relaunch the FM1 service under the Gemini Cooperation on 17 October 2026, restoring direct connectivity between Asia and Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates. The first sailing will be operated by Maersk Athabasca on voyage 642W, departing Qingdao on 17 October and arriving at Khor Fakkan on 16 November. The relaunched service will connect Qingdao, Ningbo, Tanjung Pelepas, Khor Fakkan and Singapore in a fixed rotation.
Khor Fakkan congestion reported by multiple operators#
Kuehne+Nagel reported that Khor Fakkan and Fujairah are taking on volumes shifted to ports outside the Strait of Hormuz in recent months, leading to congestion across UAE corridors. The forwarder identified the two ports as the main pressure points in the region. Maersk stated in its operational update that vessel congestion and limited berth availability at Khor Fakkan, together with high yard utilisation, road congestion and extended truck waiting times, are delaying cargo clearance. Expeditors noted that Khor Fakkan and Fujairah are showing signs of congestion.
Inland depot and possible redirection planned#
Maersk said it would relocate some containers to an inland container depot at Sajja to ease pressure on the port. The carrier is planning for the possible redirection of some shipments to Jebel Ali. Existing booking restrictions and cargo acceptance guidelines for the Middle East will remain in effect. Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd said they would continue monitoring the regional security situation, with further adjustments to Gemini Cooperation services subject to developments across the Middle East.
Hinterland connectivity and trucking capacity under pressure#
Kuehne+Nagel stated that transit times vary by destination through Fujairah and Khor Fakkan, while final-mile delivery and corridor connectivity remain under the control of UAE government-affiliated logistics providers. The forwarder expects cargo flows to redistribute towards alternative gateways, including Jeddah, Aqaba and Salalah, as congestion in Jeddah decreases. Kuehne+Nagel expects Khor Fakkan and Fujairah to remain under significant pressure in the coming weeks. The relaunched FM1 service will provide additional direct ocean capacity to Khor Fakkan, with Maersk's existing inland transportation services providing onward connections to destinations across the Upper Gulf.
Sources2 sources across 2 domains
- container-news.comContainer NewsFM1 service relaunch details, rotation, first sailing date and vessel name
- theloadstar.comThe LoadstarCongestion reports from Kuehne+Nagel, Maersk and Expeditors; inland depot plan and possible redirection to Jebel Ali
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MENA Trade Monitor is published by Arabian Media Network. Pieces are produced by the Chokepoint Watch with AI-assisted synthesis of the cited sources and automated verification against the network's editorial policy. Every piece carries a desk rather than a reporter. Corrections are recorded on the piece and on the corrections page.
Transits, closures, advisories, war risk premia and rerouting cost for Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb and Suez. Same day, same shape, always numbers.