Maritime Connectivity: Diverging Port Trends Amid Geopolitical Disruptions

Geopolitical disruptions in the Middle East are prompting shipping lines to adjust their service networks and port connections. While ports directly affected by these disruptions face the risk of declining connectivity, some ports in other regions have recorded increases in their connectivity indices as carriers reroute services and reorganize their operating networks.

Data for the third quarter of 2026 from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)'s Port Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (PLSCI), as analyzed by Sea-Intelligence, show that connectivity indices at several ports have risen compared with pre-crisis benchmarks. Specifically, the third quarter of 2023 is used as the reference period for disruptions in the Red Sea, while the fourth quarter of 2025 serves as the benchmark for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Source: Sea-Intelligence

West African Ports Take on a Greater Role in Shipping Networks

Rerouting services to avoid disrupted areas can extend transit times and change carriers' choices of transshipment ports. As some services are diverted around the Cape of Good Hope, ports along Africa's Atlantic coast could play a greater role in container shipping networks.

Statistical data show that connectivity indices at several West African ports increased during the period under review. Meanwhile, Walvis Bay has been cited as an alternative to Durban amid congestion at the latter port.

However, the extent to which one port can substitute for another depends on several factors, including geographical location, vessel-handling capacity, operational efficiency and connectivity with existing services. An increase in a port's connectivity index therefore does not mean it can fully replace another port's role.

Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean Ports Benefit from Transshipment Flows

In the Gulf of Oman, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has changed operating conditions and carriers' routing options. According to Sea-Intelligence's analysis of UNCTAD data, the connectivity indices of Duqm and Khor Fakkan increased by 213% and 188%, respectively, compared with their pre-crisis benchmarks.

Meanwhile, in East Africa and the Indian subcontinent, several ports are taking on additional transshipment roles as carriers restructure their networks to minimize the impact of conflict zones. The data also show sharp increases in the connectivity indices of Dar es Salaam and Hambantota during the reporting period.

Changes in shipping routes and transshipment hubs can alter connectivity between ports across the global container shipping network. However, the Port Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (PLSCI) measures a port's integration into the liner shipping network; it does not directly indicate container throughput, congestion levels or port operating efficiency.

To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of geopolitical disruptions, the connectivity index should be assessed alongside port container throughput, handling capacity and changes in shipping lines' schedules.

See more:

• Container Shipping Networks: A Shift Away from Shared Capacity Among Carriers
• International Shipping and Logistics Market Update Week 42/2026 | Phaata
• Hapag-Lloyd to Adjust Six Asia–Europe Services Under Gemini Cooperation from November 2026
• Port of Rotterdam Container Throughput Remains Nearly Flat as Transshipment Volumes Fall 20%
• Strait of Hormuz Sees Further Attacks as Two Commercial Vessels Sink
• Port of Oakland Signals Recovery as September Container Throughput Rises 5.4%
• Mega-Container Vessels Return to the Suez Canal Despite Persistent Red Sea Risks
• Ship Recycling Activity Drops to More Than 50-Year Low as Global Fleet Faces Rapid Aging
• ClarkSea Index Sets Fifth Consecutive Record as Daily Vessel Earnings Reach $84,951
• Ocean Shipping Disruptions and Tariff Uncertainties Drive Incremental Air Freight Demand in Q4
• MSC and ONE to Continue Ipanema Service Under New VSA from April 2027
• Around 12% of Global Containership Capacity Affected by Port Congestion
• COSCO schedules: Vietnam - North America in Oct 2026
• COSCO updates Vietnam-North Europe sailing schedules in Oct 2026
• SITC updates Vietnam-Intra Asia sailing schedules in Oct 2026

Source: Phaata.com (According to Sea-Intelligence)

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