On October 28, 2026, Fujairah recorded the largest gathering of ships in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman with 74 bulk carriers waiting. This situation comes as more than six months have passed since the maritime transport crisis in the Middle East, and the number of ships waiting across the Persian Gulf remains high.
Increase in Number and Type of Ships
According to new statistics, 265 bulk carriers are currently waiting at 29 selected ports, with Fujairah leading with 74 ships (28%) and Sohar Port following with 50 ships. Overall, these two ports account for 47% of the waiting fleet in the region. Additionally, the supramax vessels, with 107 ships (40%), make up the largest segment of the fleet, while panamax and handy-sized ships rank next with 56 and 53 ships, respectively.
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Analysis of Maritime Traffic Situation
The maritime traffic situation in this region has increased by 75% compared to last year. For example, the average number of waiting ships from October 1 to 27, 2026, reached 268 ships, while this figure was 154 and 139 ships in the same period in 2025 and 2024, respectively. The number of ships decreased to 170 in mid-July and then increased again in August and September, peaking at 291 ships on September 15.
At Fujairah Port, supramax ships with 37 vessels make up half of the waiting fleet, which is higher than the 40% of the waiting fleet at the regional level. Additionally, 48 ships (65%) of the 74 waiting ships are classified as 'contact stop', indicating a higher accumulation of ships in Fujairah compared to loading and unloading activities at other ports in the region.
Existing Challenges and Their Impact on the Market
Due to high traffic and long waiting times, ships may face operational issues. This situation could affect access to available tonnage, while the impact on freight depends on the waiting time and subsequent hiring of ships. As a result, ports in this region are facing serious challenges in securing the required ships.
Moreover, given the increase in the number of waiting ships and operational issues, freight is likely to come under pressure. Therefore, it is expected that the maritime traffic situation in this region will remain affected by these changes in the near future.
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