Middle East

Cruise Lines Cancel Remaining Arabian Gulf Seasons

Cruise lines have canceled the rest of their 2025–26 winter operations in the Arabian Gulf due to ongoing security concerns in the region.

a rendering of the Persian Gulf and Middle east from above

Mein Schiff 4 Crew Repatriation Begins After Gulf Disruption

TUI Cruises has started repatriating crew members from the Mein Schiff 4, stranded in the Persian Gulf, after all passengers were disembarked.

The Mein Schiff 4 cruise ship docked in a port

MSC Euribia Issues Safety Guidance While Docked in Dubai

Passengers onboard MSC Euribia have received a letter outlining emergency procedures while the ship remains docked in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Dubai's coastline and the Burj al Arab as seen from the air

MSC Works With Airlines to Repatriate Guests

MSC said it's coordinating with airline partners in the Middle East, particularly Emirates and Etihad Airways, to arrange return travel for guests

The MSC cruise logo on the side of a vessel

TUI Cancels Gulf Cruises on Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5

TUI Cruises has confirmed the cancellation of several Arabian Gulf sailings that were scheduled to operate this week aboard Mein Schiff 4 and 5.

Tui's cruise ship, the Mein Schiff 4 moored near rocks

MSC Cancels Middle Eastern Sailings on Euribia

MSC Cruises confirms the cancellation of two upcoming Middle East voyages aboard MSC Euribia due to the current situation in the Arabian Gulf.

The MSC Euribia cruise ship with a mountainous backdrop

Oil and Gas Prices Jump Amid Middle East Strikes

Energy markets climb sharply as Iran carries out strikes across the Middle East in response to military action by the US and Israel.

The flag of Iran

US Targets Iran Shadow Fleet With New Sanctions

Amid rising tensions in the Middle East and mounting US military pressure on Iran, Washington introduces new sanctions aimed at Iran’s shadow fleet.

The flag of Iran

APM Terminals Takes Stake in Jeddah Container Facility

APM Terminals has acquired a minority interest in a container terminal in Jeddah , Saudi Arabia that is currently operated by DP World.

A container terminal

Suspicious Small Craft Activity Reported Near Gulf of Aden

On Tuesday February 17th, a merchant vessel reported an encounter with three small boats roughly 70 nautical miles southwest of Aden, Yemen.

A map showing Aden and pinpointing where a merchant ship met three smaller suspicious boats

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd to Restart Red Sea Routing

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are to return to Red Sea transits on one of their joint Gemini Cooperation services, taking a step back into the region.

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd shipping containers in a terminal

Maersk Begins Gradual Return to Suez on MECL Route

Danish shipping group Maersk has taken its first step toward resuming Red Sea transits by rerouting its MECL service through the Suez Canal.

A Maersk container ship sailing close to land

AIDAperla to Return to Middle East for 2027-28 Winter

AIDA Cruises has opened reservations for AIDAperla's Middle East and Arabian Gulf cruises that are scheduled for the 2027-28 winter season.

The AIDAperla cruise ship docked in Hamburg, Germany

Top Ships Considers Move Into Dubai Property Market

Greece’s Top Ships is preparing to branch out again, this time into Dubai real estate through a deal linked to its Chief Exec Evangelos Pistiolis

Downtown Dubai cityscape at sundwon

Suez Canal Traffic Shows Signs of Recovery After Truce

Data indicates increase in transits through Suez Canal. Egyptian authorities hope the Houthi truce will pave the way for return to normal traffic

The Suez Canal as it passes through Egypt

CMA CGM and AD Ports to Expand Khalifa Terminal Capacity

France’s CMA CGM Group and Abu Dhabi’s AD Ports have agreed to enlarge their container terminal at Khalifa Port less than a year after it opened.

A container port with cranes and shipping containers

Iranian Forces Detain Product Tanker Talara Near Qeshm

The Talara, a Marshall Islands flagged tanker seized by Iranian forces on Friday has been located in the Khuran Strait, north of Qeshm Island.

The flag of Iran

Houthis Suspend Maritime Attacks and Lift Blockade

The Houthis have announced a suspension of their maritime attacks on Israel and lifted what they described as a naval blockade of Israeli ports.

A 3D map showing the Middle East

Shipping Eyes Cautious Return to Suez After Months Away

Shipping industry remains cautious about fully resuming transit through the Suez Canal but several vessels have begun venturing back to the region

A map of the Middle East showing vessels and warning signs

CMA CGM and RSGT Plan New Terminal at Jeddah Port

CMA CGM signs term sheet with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Gateway Terminal to explore joint venture for the construction and operation of new facility

A CMA CGM container ship