Hormuz Disruptions: How GCC Economies Are Reconfiguring Cargo Routes

Rising geopolitical tensions and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have forced GCC economies to rapidly diversify logistics networks and trade routes. As of April 2026, governments and shipping operators across the Gulf are relying on east-coast ports, Red Sea pipelines, overland transport corridors, and strategic reserves to maintain supply chains. While these measures have improved resilience, they also highlight the structural dependence of regional trade on one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.