\u201cWhile there are other ports outside the Gulf for some of the GCC countries, such as Jeddah for Saudi Arabia and Sohar for Oman, these are likely to face significant congestion and delays if the ports inside the Gulf can\u2019t be accessed,\u201d the MIA said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Hormuz is closed, congestion and delays will primarily impact chilled exports to the Middle East, which were worth $166m last year.\u201d<\/p>\n
The GCC countries are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n
Dairy giant Fonterra, which has a large expatriate workforce, said all its people were safe and it was monitoring the situation<\/a> closely.<\/p>\n It was too early to say what the impact would be for Fonterra, the co-op said in a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Middle East is an important and complex region and we are well versed at trading through geopolitical and trade volatility with supply chain disruptions,\u201d Fonterra said.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, the situation remains highly unpredictable, with a variety of scenarios that could play out over time.\u201d<\/p>\n Emma Parsons, chief executive of the supply chain firm Kotahi, said all shipping lines have suspended services through the Strait of Hormuz because of the Middle East conflict.<\/p>\n \u201cKotahi is working with our carrier partners and customers to identify contingency plans and alternative routes for cargo destined for the Middle East or scheduled to transit through the region,\u201d Parsons said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe currently have 4000 TEU [equivalent twenty-foot containers] of cargo in transit on this trade lane.<\/p>\n \u201cKotahi is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East and is well positioned to respond quickly to support New Zealand exporters in this evolving situation.\u201d<\/p>\n