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Gulf conflict upsets networks - and fleet size - of biggest feeder operators

The US-Iran conflict and subsequent closure of the Hormuz Straits have upended the networks, and fleet deployment strategies, of the world's three largest common feeder operators - and seen AD Ports' Global Feeder Services significantly close the gap on the market leaders. According to new analysis from Alphaliner, the Middle East conflict, now in its eighth month, has forced the two largest operators, X-Press Feeders and DP Worldm to reduce their offered capacity as the closure of Gulf routes curtailed their networks. "X-Press Feeders remains the world's largest feeder operator by deployed capacity, although its fleet has contracted by 7.1% year on year, as per Alphaliner's survey on 21 September," the analyst writes this week. "Fallout from the Middle East conflict forced X-Press to make service cuts across the region, which is the main reason for the decline." As a result, X-Press Feeders' global capacity is now 182,776 teu, down 13,987 teu from September 2025, with its capacity serving the Middle East region down 34.2% - equivalent to 38,000 teu - which Alphaliner linked to service suspension in the wake of the conflict. To offset this, it has increased capacity in the intra-Europe trades by 7.4%, and intra-Americas by 17.7%, and has even taken the unusual step, for a feeder operator, of joining a deepsea Asia-Europe service, via the deployment of the 4,800 teu X-Press Odyssey on the China-Mediterranean CEX service, jointly run with China United Lines, Uniglory, and Global Feeder Services. Meanwhile, DP World's global capacity, largely made up of the Unifeeder fleet, fell 2.5% during the year, a "modest overall decline, also driven by the Middle East conflict", said Alphaliner. It added: "Its deployed capacity in the ME/ISC related trade fell by 7,500 teu, while its operated capacity in all other regions remained broadly stable year on year. "Most of the cuts came from Gulf-related loops," Alphaliner wrote, noting it had largely redeployed capacity to the Asia-India trade, as well as to a number of extra loaders serving the ME/ISC trade. However, Emirati compatriot Global Feeder Services (GFS), owned by AD Ports, in what appears to be a commercial strategy that closely resembles that of DP World, saw its capacity jump by 31%, and its fleet is now only a fraction behind that of its rival - just 2,800 teu smaller - after it doubled-down on serving the India-Middle East trade corridor. "The ME/ISC trade remains GFS's core market and accounted for the bulk of its growth, in contrast to X-Press Feeders and DP World, which both reduced their presence there," said Alphaliner, calculating that GFS's capacity on that trade grew 26.9% and now accounts for around 70% of its total fleet. "While its two main competitors scaled back in the region, GFS kept its network largely intact. The carrier replaced Gulf calls on existing loops with Red Sea ports, and extended its reach into neighbouring trades. "As a result, GFS has overtaken both rivals to become the largest of the three in the ME/ISC trade, ahead of X-Press Feeders (about 73,500 teu) and DP World (about 70,500 teu)," the analyst added.

Rhenus opens Dubai Humanitarian hub office

Rhenus has opened an emergency aid and relief logistics office within the Dubai Humanitarian hub to manage air, ocean and road freight aid operations. The office was inaugurated on 14 October and follows the launch of Rhenus' humanitarian logistics offering in the UAE earlier this year. Dubai Humanitarian describes itself as the only non-profit, independent, humanitarian free zone authority. It hosts a community of around 80 members comprised of UN organisations, non-profits and non-governmental organisations, in addition to commercial companies. Since the start of this year, Rhenus has established activities within Dubai Humanitarian, developed regional and cross-border transport solutions, secured its Dubai Humanitarian free zone license and expanded its network of humanitarian partners. From Dubai Humanitarian, the Rhenus aid & relief team will manage air, ocean and road freight for essential relief supplies, including medical products, pharmaceuticals, food aid, shelter materials and emergency response equipment. "Dubai Humanitarian brings together many of the organisations that play a vital role in humanitarian response. Being part of this community allows us to work more closely with our partners and better support their logistics requirements when and where they are needed," said Hassan Alzeer, managing director, Rhenus Middle East. Giuseppe Saba, chief executive and board member of Dubai Humanitarian, added: "In humanitarian preparedness and response, proximity is more than a logistical advantage as it can be an operational necessity. "Rhenus Logistics' presence within Dubai Humanitarian reinforces the value of our ecosystem where humanitarian actors and logistics partners work side by side, strengthening coordination, efficiency and the capacity to respond when it matters most." Sayid Kunhipurayil, logistics development manager, aid & relief, Rhenus Middle East, further stated: "Humanitarian shipments often move under intense time pressure and through complex operating environments. "Our role is to bring structure, reliability and practical logistics expertise to those moments, helping organisations plan the right route, secure capacity and move essential supplies as efficiently as possible."

Saudi disruption squeezes air cargo capacity as peak looms

Riyadh's international outbound air cargo capacity has fallen by a third as attacks on Saudi airports prompt airlines to suspend services, removing both freighter lift and bellyhold space. Rotate data captured this morning shows Riyadh's outbound capacity on freighters and widebody passenger aircraft fell 34% over 24 hours, to 848 tonnes, and 26% over 72 hours, compared with the equivalent periods a week earlier. Freighter-only capacity fell 10% outbound and 77% inbound over 24 hours. Over 72 hours, the declines were 32% and 38%, respectively. The sudden drop will be a challenge for the country: Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport handled 576,600 tonnes of cargo in 2025, according to GACA figures, making it the kingdom's busiest cargo airport, ahead of Jeddah's 458,900 tonnes. Saudi authorities said three citizens had been killed and others injured in two attacks on Riyadh Airport on Thursday. Saudia Group confirmed one of its aircraft was damaged on the ground, with no passengers aboard, and identified one of its captains as among the dead. The Houthis claimed responsibility. Saudia Group said airport operational activities had returned to normal by 6pm local time on Thursday. However, the airport's reopening has not brought a full restoration of airline services, with several carriers, including Lufthansa and Air India, having suspended services. Elsewhere in Saudi Arabia, Najran and Jazan airports are closed until 15 October, while Abha is restricted to daytime operations following attacks this week. FAA notices showed restrictions on stands and taxiways at Riyadh, but no current airport-wide closure. The wider Middle East disruption is already forcing cargo airlines to adapt their networks. Cathay Cargo director Dominic Perret said this week that suspended Middle East services had affected European freighter operations, which had used Dubai as an intermediate stop. "Flying direct meant payload penalties," he said, although noting that Cathay has found alternative stops, including a summer operation in Astana, to maintain cargo lift. Yet the carrier remains upbeat about demand as the industry approaches its year-end peak. Mr Perret said demand to the Americas remained strong, while Europe continued to adjust to EU tariffs on ecommerce imports. Demand from key Asian markets was also being supported by high-value technology shipments for AI and data centre infrastructure. "We are anticipating a strong peak season," said Mr Perret, "in fact, one of our main challenges is having sufficient capacity to meet demand." Cathay has added transpacific capacity and expects an A330 freighter, operated by subsidiary Air Hong Kong, to provide additional regional lift next month. Cargo Facts Consulting reported that Asia-North America freighter capacity increased 3.5% month on month in July, and a further 2.9% in August. Meanwhile, Asia-Europe freighter capacity contracted in June, July, and August. Europe's new customs duty on low-value imports has hit ecommerce flows, with a 24% decline in ecommerce volumes in July, according to Rotate, alongside a 28% fall in freighter capacity to Europe - a capacity reduction equivalent to some 5,000 freighter flights a year. Nevertheless, the global Baltic Air Freight Index rose 5% in the week to 5 October, taking its year-on-year increase to 25.5%, as China entered the Golden Week holiday. By early October, spot rates from India were around 70% higher year on year to the US, and more than 80% higher to Europe, according to TAC index data. Meanwhile, average jet fuel prices were up 108% year on year by 2 October. TAC Index commentary said carriers had sought to prepare for fuel shocks by securing supplies early. By late September, however, sources expected a greater impact on rates within a week or so, potentially also favouring more fuel-efficient twin-engine aircraft over those with four engines.