Middle East Conflict Spills Over to Southeast Asia: Congestion Worsens at Singapore & Tanjung Pelepas Ports, Schedule Delays Up to 7 Days
Publish Time: 2026-03-13 Origin: Site
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to escalate, and its shockwaves have quickly reached key Southeast Asian transshipment hubs thousands of kilometers away. Latest industry data shows that operational pressure at the Port of Singapore and Malaysia’s Port of Tanjung Pelepas has surged, with yard utilization at both ports soaring to 90% and nearing full saturation.
As major carriers suspend Persian Gulf services, a large number of containers originally bound for the Middle East are forced to reroute to Singapore and Tanjung Pelepas for rescheduling or temporary storage. This has severely strained the handling capacity of the two hubs, with vessel berthing delays generally extended to 5–7 days.
At one point, hundreds of vessels queued outside the Port of Singapore, significantly denting port operational efficiency.
Facing the influx of transshipment cargo and acute yard shortages, Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport has taken emergency measures. Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook has ordered domestic ports to speed up the clearance of idle empty containers and strictly banned carriers from unloading containers with unknown destinations at Malaysian ports. This move aims to prevent further uncontrolled yard pressure and avoid a repeat of supply chain disruptions caused by regional conflicts in the past.
Data from supply chain visibility platform project44 shows that global container shipping diversions have jumped over 360% since the conflict escalated in late February. At the peak on March 5, a record 2,363 batches of cargo were diverted in a single day.
Massive cargo originally destined for the Persian Gulf is being redirected to Fujairah Port (UAE), Sohar Port (Oman), as well as ports in India and Sri Lanka.
A strong domino effect across the shipping network is unfolding: risks in key waterways have directly triggered large-scale vessel rerouting, congestion at core transshipment hubs, and declining capacity turnover efficiency. The shockwave has even reached the Indian subcontinent.
Data reveals that due to widespread schedule reconstruction, vessel departure delays at India’s Mundra Port have increased by 72%, averaging nearly 11 days, adding new uncertainty to an already tight Asian supply chain.
Analysts note that the current situation differs from the previous Red Sea crisis—there is no viable alternative route for the Strait of Hormuz, meaning service disruptions at major Persian Gulf ports could last longer. As diverted cargo volumes keep rising, Southeast Asian and South Asian transshipment hubs face severe tests, with port congestion, container dwell time and schedule disruptions likely to worsen in the coming weeks.
For shippers and freight forwarders, close monitoring of operational updates at major Southeast Asian transshipment hubs and carriers’ latest route adjustments is critical. It’s vital to reasonably assess transit timeliness and arrange shipments and contingency plans in advance to cope with the unfolding supply chain chain reaction.
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