DP World to develop two new terminals on UAE's east coast, bypassing Strait of Hormuz DP World will develop two new terminals in Fujairah on the east coast of the UAE, building on the strength of Jebel Ali Port and bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. James McLoughlin
US reintroduces Iran blockade as conflict resumes in Strait of Hormuz and Iran threatens Red Sea access With the US-Iran MoU over, attacks resumed in the Strait of Hormuz, the US naval blockade was reinstated and Iran has threatened to close a key Red Sea gateway. James McLoughlin
Trump claims Strait of Hormuz will reopen as US-Iran deal reached, shippers and insurers remain cautious Despite the announcement of a US-Iran peace deal, questions still remain about the future of shipping through the strait – including safety concerns and uncertainty around Iranian tolls on vessels. James McLoughlin
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics begins construction of new Dubai automotive logistics hub Hellmann Worldwide Logistics is building a new dedicated automotive logistics hub in Dubai, UAE, to support the expanding needs of its customers in the Middle East. James McLoughlin
Mosolf opens new automotive facility at Jebel Ali Port German-headquartered logistics service provider Mosolf has announced the launch of a new 161,000 sq. ft automotive logistics facility in the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) in Dubai. James McLoughlin
Proficient Auto Logistics profit drops 42% as fuel costs and plant shutdowns hit margins North American vehicle haulier Proficient Auto Logistics reported a sharp drop in first-quarter profitability despite higher vehicle deliveries, with rising diesel prices, OEM plant shutdowns and constrained logistics flows exposing mounting pressure across the automotive transport sector. Megan Kelly
BLG deals with tariffs and turmoil with investment at Bremerhaven Vehicle shipments through the German port of Bremerhaven in 2025 have been affected by US tariffs on vehicle imports, weak economic conditions and geopolitical turmoil in Ukraine and the Middle East. Marcus Williams
FVL leaders on turning the energy crisis into a decarbonisation opportunity in Europe Industry leaders at ECG's European Parliament Dinner Debate discussed policy to decarbonise finished vehicle logistics and ensuring resilience during an energy crisis. James McLoughlin
NADA expert provides North American vehicle sales and production outlook At the FVL NA 2026 NADA's chief economist shared insights into trends in North America's auto market today with vehicle sales and production figures in North America for the next decade. James McLoughlin
Maersk-operated ro-ro vessel transits Strait of Hormuz under US military guard The Maersk-operated vehicle carrier, Alliance Fairfax, exited the Strait of Hormuz yesterday under US military guard. This news comes as more details have emerged regarding the impact of disruption on automotive supply chains. James McLoughlin Megan Kelly
China's auto export boom meets maritime reality check in Gulf crisis From a looming mineral shortage to loss of access to key markets, the war in the Middle East is hurting China's automotive industry on several fronts. Vladislav Vorotnikov
Shipping disruption continues as US begins naval blockade in Iran The Strait of Hormuz will open as a US-Iran ceasefire is agreed but shippers like Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have cautioned that normal operations are unlikely to resume for several weeks. James McLoughlin
Car carriers stuck in Strait of Hormuz impacting Chinese imports to Middle East; oil prices see costs rise and demand shift in Asia Car carriers stuck in the Strait of Hormuz are impacting Chinese imports to the Middle East, with operators of the ships discharging vehicles into nearby ports. Meanwhile, rising oil prices are beginning to impact automotive supply chains in Asia: pushing up logistics costs, accelerating EV demand and disrupting supply of petrochemicals. Megan Kelly James McLoughlin
Iran war continues to impact automotive supply chain: Strait of Hormuz access and energy price volatility remain key concerns As the conflict in the Middle East continues, with the Strait of Hormuz blocked and energy prices in flux, the automotive supply chain impact could be severe. James McLoughlin Ilkhan Ozsevim
‘Maximum disruption’ in Strait of Hormuz as 16 vessels are hit during US-Israel war on Iran There is potential for “maximum disruption” to logistics flows in the Strait of Hormuz and nearby ports as a total of 16 vessels have been attacked during the ongoing conflict between the US and Israel with Iran, according to analysts. Megan Kelly
Oil prices surge due to US-Israel war on Iran, impacting automotive logistics and supply chains Global oil prices surged to more than $120 per barrel in light of the US-Iran conflict, creating a knock-on effect for automotive logistics and supply chains around the world in terms of costs, with the possibility for further disruption to vehicle production and distribution long-term. Megan Kelly
Iran conflict threatens key shipping routes in the Middle East; shippers halt operations, re-route vessels and introduce surcharges Conflict in the Middle East has disrupted operations for all major global shippers as the Strait of Hormuz closed and Jebel Ali Port temporarily suspended operations. Ilkhan Ozsevim James McLoughlin
CMA CGM plans new $450m terminal at Saudi port in JV investment deal CMA CGM and RSGT have signed a term sheet for a potential joint venture, investing $450m in building a fourth terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port in Saudi Arabia. James McLoughlin
Sponsored Automotive Inbound Logistics Survey 2025: Download now Download the inaugural Automotive Inbound Logistics Survey 2025 for the definitive playbook to navigate disruption, cut through uncertainty and stay ahead of global competition. Automotive Logistics
DP World expands Jebel Ali port vehicle capacity with new yard and quay DP World is adding a 2.6m sq ft storage yard and 800m ro-ro quay at Jebel Ali’s Terminal 4, boosting capacity by 21% as vehicle flows through the port surge 28% in 2025. Charlie Blackie-Kelly Emily Uwemedimo
Latest ECG business intelligence report shows increase in global vehicle exports but slight decline in EVs to EU The Association of European Vehicle Logistics (ECG) reports there has been 25% increase in global vehicle exports from China but EU has imported fewer EVs in first nine months of 2024 Marcus Williams
Global container shipping the worst for 50 years reports Drewry A continuous deterioration in the accuracy of transit and arrival times in global container shipping means the sector is in the worst state it has been in for 50 years, according to Drewry Shipping Consultants. Marcus Williams
Watch: Middle East and North Africa supply chains – the route to recovery (EP.3) Watch this Livestream for the latest insight on vehicle demand, production and trade across Middle East and North Africa automotive supply chains, plus insights with General Motors’ head of purchasing and supply chain for the Middle East, Sulaiman Pallak. Forecast available for download.
Fighting back against fake parts Counterfeit components can be dangerous for road users and are a growing problem for the automotive industry. Automotive Logistics examines the lucrative fake parts trade Richard Brown
Trust in Turkey: How exports are carrying the country through its economic crisis Turkey faces some difficult economic headwinds that have already impacted on its automotive industry. But there are still several reasons for optimism, especially the country’s strength as a vehicle export hub with easy access to the European market Nick Gibbs
Hanging in the balance Lower production output, slower growth in export markets and several regulatory and operational issues are threatening to unbalance Poland’s finished vehicle market Vladislav Vorotnikov
China conference: preparing for the new and the old, for growth and decline Chris Ludwig Christopher Ludwig
Ford part 2: Global strategies Ford intends to support dealers through its Professional Service Network, a proliferation of Quick Lane stores and extended parts retention. Christopher Ludwig
Ford part 1: Always looking ahead In the first of a four-part feature, Christopher Ludwig talks to Ford Customer Service Division president Frederiek Toney (pictured) about changing times for logistics and providing global customer service Christopher Ludwig
Ford part 3: Supply chain upgrades Ford is rolling out advanced global inventory and demand management tools in pursuit of greater efficiency in logistics and service Christopher Ludwig
Europe Conference: Planning for more than the Zeitgeist in the supply chain Chris Ludwig Christopher Ludwig
BMW: Getting connected for a new era of distribution BMW’s vice-president of vehicle distribution Ulrich Wieland (right) and head of global vehicle dispatch and transport Mathias Wellbrock (left) talk about how connected car technology could transform the OEM’s outbound operations over the next decade Christopher Ludwig
Simon Stacy and Bob Mountain add logistics responsibilities at Honda Europe Chris Ludwig Christopher Ludwig
Stricken Höegh car carrier towed to Spitbank for investigation A Höegh Autoliners car carrier, with around 1,400 vehicles and 100 pieces of earthmoving equipment on board, grounded in the waters known as the Solent, outside the UK south-coast port of Southampton, refloated itself on January 7th and has been moved to investigate further. Rachael Hogg
Audi special report: A fast, flexible network Audi’s inbound logistics depends on tight planning and delivery adherence, while the carmaker is also exploring more consolidation within the Volkswagen Group Christopher Ludwig
Parliamentary committee votes for harmonised loading lengths for car transporters across EU Chris Ludwig Christopher Ludwig
Executive summary: Blue skies over Bonn as logistics returns to growth Chris Ludwig Christopher Ludwig
Kroon takes over Renault Nissan’s European logistics as MacDonald heads to India Chris Ludwig Christopher Ludwig
