As of 30 October 2026, Khor Fakkan is facing severe congestion, with an increasing number of vessels waiting at anchorage. Average vessel waiting time has climbed to 7.25 days. Over the last 30 days, arriving vessels have been delayed by an average of 7.4 days, while departures have experienced delays of approximately 5.7 days.
Fujairah is also witnessing considerable operational pressure. During the past seven days, average container vessel waiting time reached 8.86 days. Vessels have been arriving an average of 7.58 days behind schedule, with departure delays averaging 7.65 days.
Restrictions on handling foreign cargo, dangerous goods and specialised equipment continue to affect port operations. Meanwhile, the diversion of cargo volumes from other regional hubs is placing additional pressure on terminal capacity and increasing landside delays.
Cargo Transfer Delays Spread Beyond UAE Ports
The congestion is now impacting inland cargo movements, creating additional challenges for the UAE logistics network.
Container transfers from Khor Fakkan and Fujairah to key logistics destinations, including Jebel Ali, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, are facing significant delays. Transit and terminal transfer times, which previously averaged around five days, have now extended to approximately 12–15 days.
The prolonged turnaround times are putting further pressure on already limited yard capacity, disrupting cargo movement and creating additional challenges for logistics operators across the UAE.
