Analysis of MENA logistics corridors amid geopolitical tensions, rising costs, and new supply chain strategies
International trade rests on a fragile balance: over 80% of global trade travels by sea. In this scenario, the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) represents a crucial hub thanks to strategic corridors such as the Suez Canal, the Strait of Hormuz, and Bab el-Mandeb.
In recent years, however, geopolitical tensions have put these routes under pressure, generating significant effects on the timing, costs, and reliability of the global supply chain.
International trade rests on a fragile balance: over 80% of global trade travels by sea. In this scenario, the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) represents a crucial hub thanks to strategic corridors such as the Suez Canal, the Strait of Hormuz, and Bab el-Mandeb.
In recent years, however, geopolitical tensions have put these routes under pressure, generating significant effects on the timing, costs, and reliability of the global supply chain.
Why MENA corridors are so important
Certain maritime passages in the region are true “bottlenecks” of world trade:
These corridors are not just trade routes, but critical infrastructure for energy, industry, and global distribution.
The effect of geopolitical tensions
Starting from the end of 2023, the situation worsened rapidly:
The result has been a massive shift of traffic toward alternative routes.
Alternative routes: the return of the Cape of Good Hope
Many companies have begun to avoid the Red Sea, choosing to circumnavigate Africa:
Concrete example: an LNG shipment from Qatar to the United Kingdom increases from 19 to 34 days.
Impact on costs and prices
The economic consequences are immediate:
This translates into pressure on corporate margins and an increase in final prices.
Air transport: a partial solution
Air cargo has absorbed part of the demand:
It is therefore not a true mass alternative to maritime transport.
The role of Gulf logistics hubs
Despite the critical issues, infrastructure remains solid:
These hubs represent a key element of resilience in the global supply chain.
Conclusions: toward a new global logistics?
The crisis in MENA corridors highlights an increasingly clear reality: the global supply chain must become more flexible and resilient.
Companies will need to:
In an increasingly unstable context, logistics is no longer just operational, but a strategic lever for competitiveness.
