The ongoing geopolitical crisis in the Middle East, including developments related to Iran, is impacting established transport routes and increasing the need for more flexible logistics planning. In particular, the situation around the Strait of Hormuz continues to influence regional supply chains. 

In this interview, Lee I'Ons, Regional CEO IMEA (India, Middle East & Africa), shares insights into current developments and explains how companies can maintain continuity through alternative routing strategies across sea, air and land.

Hi Lee, how would you describe the current situation for supply chains in the Middle East?

Lee I'Ons: Supply chains are operating in an environment where volatility and disruption have become more frequent. What we are seeing now is not entirely new, but the intensity and the speed of change are different. At the same time, companies are reacting faster. There is a better understanding that supply chain agility is not optional. It is a business necessity.

Even if conditions stabilize quickly, it will take time for supply chains to fully normalize.
 

What are the main operational challenges at the moment?

Lee I'Ons: The biggest challenge is predictability. Established routes, especially in ocean freight, are less reliable due to the situation in the region, including developments around the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, we are seeing indirect effects across the entire supply chain. This includes capacity constraints, cost pressure and reduced planning visibility. It is not limited to one mode of transport. Sea, air and land are all affected, just in different ways.

Which transport modes are most impacted?

Lee I'Ons: Seafreight is currently the most affected, particularly on a regional level. There are delays, rerouting requirements and limited predictability for shipments already in transit as well as for new bookings. Airfreight remains a stable option, especially for time-critical cargo, although capacity and routing adjustments are also visible.

What role does road transport play in the current situation?

Lee I'Ons: Road transport is a key enabler right now. We see a strong increase in demand for land-based solutions, particularly across the GCC. By using landbridge concepts and cross-border trucking, cargo can be routed via alternative gateways and moved efficiently across the region.

This allows us to maintain supply chain continuity even when traditional sea routes are under pressure. It also gives customers more flexibility in planning and execution.

How are customers responding to these developments?

Lee I'Ons: We see a clear shift in priorities. Many companies are moving from cost optimization towards continuity and reliability.

Larger organizations are actively diversifying their routing strategies and are willing to make trade-offs between cost, speed and risk. At the same time, smaller companies are more cost-sensitive and sometimes delay shipments. So the response varies, but overall resilience has become a central focus.

How important are alternative routing strategies in this environment?

Lee I'Ons: They are essential. Relying on a single transport route is no longer sufficient in a volatile environment. We are working closely with customers to develop flexible routing concepts, combining sea, air and land transport depending on the requirement. This includes using different regional gateways, multimodal solutions and alternative corridors across the Middle East.

When does a multimodal solution such as Sea-Air make sense?

Lee I'Ons: Sea-Air is particularly relevant when companies need to balance cost and transit time. It allows significantly shorter transit times compared to pure Seafreight, while remaining more cost-efficient than full Airfreight. In the current environment, this flexibility is a major advantage.

How does Hellmann support customers in ensuring continuity?

Lee I'Ons: Our focus is on combining regional expertise with a global network. Our teams across the IMEA region are closely monitoring developments and are in constant exchange with customers, partners and authorities. We work with a range of routing options, including sea, air and road transport, to ensure that supply chains remain operational.

Close communication is key. Keeping customers informed and aligned allows us to react quickly and adjust transport strategies when needed.

What would be your key advice for companies looking ahead?

Lee I'Ons: Now is the time to reassess supply chain setups. Companies should evaluate where their dependencies are and where alternative options can be built in.

It is important to think beyond short-term fixes and consider what a resilient supply chain should look like in the future. Flexibility, diversification and strong partnerships will play a crucial role going forward.

Thank you for your time, Lee.

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