US-based freight forwarders are reporting significant operational disruption stemming from the ongoing Middle East conflict, as detailed by Air Cargo News. The impact extends across both air and ocean supply chains, with route diversions, capacity reductions, and elevated costs affecting a wide range of trade lanes.
Ocean impact: Red Sea diversions continue
The most visible disruption remains the diversion of ocean container traffic away from the Red Sea and Suez Canal. Ships are routing around the Cape of Good Hope, adding 10-14 days of transit time to Asia-Europe and Asia-US East Coast routes. This additional sailing distance consumes vessel capacity, tightens equipment availability, and increases fuel costs — all of which translate to higher freight rates.
For US importers receiving cargo via the East Coast, the practical impact is longer lead times and less predictable arrival windows. Inventory planning must account for wider ETA variability.
Air cargo rerouting
The conflict has also disrupted air cargo operations. Several major carriers have adjusted flight paths to avoid the affected airspace, resulting in longer flight times and reduced payload capacity on certain routes. Flights that previously operated direct now require technical stops or fuel-reduced loads to complete longer routing.
This has particular impact on perishable and time-critical shipments where every hour of transit time matters. Forwarders are having to identify alternative routing and carrier options to maintain service levels.
How forwarders are adapting
The most effective forwarders are those with diversified carrier relationships and multi-modal capabilities. Having options to shift between ocean, air, and combination routings allows forwarders to absorb disruption without passing all the impact to shippers.
Contingency planning has moved from a nice-to-have to a critical operational requirement. Forwarders are maintaining live alternative routing matrices, monitoring the geopolitical situation daily, and proactively communicating with clients about potential impacts.
ASR's approach
At ASR WorldWide Express, we monitor geopolitical developments that affect shipping routes and proactively advise clients on alternative options. Our multi-modal capabilities — ocean, air, and trucking — give us the flexibility to reroute shipments when disruptions arise.
If your supply chain is being affected by Middle East disruptions, contact us at shipping@asrwe.com or +1 786 373 3003 for a routing assessment.
