Middle East Security Alert: Legal & Insurance Guidance for Freight Forwarders

The ongoing escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East is having a direct and growing impact on international freight operations. Disruptions to maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, and disruptions to regional airspaces are affecting transit times, freight costs, carrier schedules, and insurance conditions across global supply chains.

To support Members in navigating this complex environment, FIATA's Advisory Body on Legal Matters, with the support of FIATA Headquarters, has published a dedicated Middle East Security Situation – Contractual and Insurance Considerations for Freight Forwarders: FIATA Legal & Insurance Briefing

What the briefing covers
The briefing provides practical guidance on the key legal, contractual, and insurance considerations freight forwarders need to be aware of right now, including:

• Carrier contractual rights — how carriers may reroute, suspend, or terminate voyages, and what this means for your obligations and exposure
• Recovery of additional costs — war-risk surcharges, deviation costs, and how to ensure your contracts allow you to pass these through to customers
• Force majeure provisions — understanding when and how these apply, and the steps needed to invoke them correctly
• Your contracting role — the differing implications for forwarders acting as contractual carriers versus those acting as agents
• Insurance gaps — why standard cargo policies may not cover war risks or delay losses, and what to check immediately
• Operational risks — practical guidance on abandoned cargo, demurrage and detention exposure, and lien rights

A practical risk-management checklist is included to help your team take immediate, targeted action.

Act now
The situation is evolving rapidly. Routes, surcharges, and carrier operational measures may change at short notice. FIATA strongly encourages all Members to review the briefing, assess the impact on current and upcoming shipments, and ensure that customers are informed promptly of any developments affecting their cargo.

FIATA members are encouraged to make use of the FIATA Model Rules, the FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (FBL and eFBL), and the FIATA Best Practice Guides, including those on Maritime Contracting, Contract Management, Abandoned Goods, and Demurrage and Detention, which provide practical tools for managing disruptions in international transport operations.

FIATA will continue to monitor developments and will provide further guidance to members as the situation evolves.

Click here to access the legal and operational guidance

This briefing provides general guidance on a global, risk-management basis and does not constitute legal advice. Members are encouraged to seek independent legal advice in relation to their specific circumstances. For further information, please contact the FIATA Headquarters at [email protected].