UAE-Oman land trade surges 175% as Hormuz closure forces rerouting
Overland trade through the Hatta Customs Crossing between the UAE and Oman surged 175% in value in the first half of 2026, as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz pushed exporters and logistics companies to shift cargo to land routes.
The number of loaded trucks crossing the checkpoint rose 160% year on year to 109,000 between January and June, up from 42,000 in the same period last year, according to the Dubai Media Office.
Almost one million people crossed the checkpoint in the first half of the year, with transiting buses up 78% and 322,000 light vehicles recorded.
Dubai Customs launched a Green Corridor initiative following the outbreak of the US-Iran conflict on February 28 to help sustain regional and international trade flows and support market stability as key shipping routes came under pressure.
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Muhammad Ali Bandial