DUBAI, UAE, 08 October 2026: For anyone moving internationally from the UAE, the question is no longer only “how much will it cost?” but “which way will my shipment travel?” ISS Relocations, a Dubai-based international relocation company, has published a guide explaining how shipments from Dubai are being routed, and how the choice of route can change timelines, handling and cost.
Shipments from Dubai are currently moving in three broad ways: directly through Jebel Ali where sailings allow, through the UAE’s east-coast ports of Khorfakkan and Fujairah with a road transfer, or through Omani ports such as Sohar and Salalah with overland transport and onward shipping. The route that applies depends on the shipping line, available capacity, the destination and port conditions on the day.
Why routes are changing
The UAE National Association of Freight and Logistics has said that regional maritime disruption has led some cargo to be discharged at alternative ports and continue by sea or road. Gulf News, reporting on the association’s comments, has noted that cargo has arrived at Khorfakkan and Fujairah and that some shipments have been unloaded at Omani ports, including Sohar and Salalah, before moving overland. The association has said the UAE’s network of ports, roads and logistics infrastructure allows cargo to be redirected through several gateways instead of depending on one route.
For households and companies moving from Dubai, this can mean a container is trucked to another port before sailing. Each added stage can bring road transport, handling and, where a border is crossed, customs steps. The association has said land transport costs have risen significantly. Reduced vessel space on some routes has also led to cancelled sailings and bookings moved to later vessels, which can lengthen transit times.
What customers should ask their mover
ISS Relocations guide encourages anyone planning an international move from Dubai to ask:
- Which port and route will my shipment use, and what is the backup plan?
- Is the road transfer included in the quote, or charged separately?
- Where will my container be loaded?
- What happens if my sailing is delayed, rolled or cancelled, and who pays for storage?
- How long is the quote valid, and which surcharges could change?
- How will I be updated at each milestone?
The guide also advises customers to allow extra time between departure and arrival, prepare documents early, plan for storage if sailings are rescheduled, and check what transit insurance covers during delays and port changes.
The full guide is available at https://lnkd.in/p/gh4SakMJ.
ISS Relocations is a Dubai-based international relocation company providing household, corporate and international moving, packing, customs support and storage solutions. It is FIDI-accredited and certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015, with offices across the GCC and South Asia.
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