Khalifa Port Cargo Hits Two-Year High After Hormuz Disruption

Port rebounds sharply as shipping confidence returns following regional crisis

TDT | Manama

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Cargo movement at Khalifa Bin Salman Port surged to its highest monthly level in two years in June, signalling a strong recovery after the Strait of Hormuz disruption that crippled regional shipping earlier this year.

The port handled approximately 112,600 tonnes of general cargo last month—a sharp rebound that follows a similarly strong May performance of around 105,500 tonnes, bringing the two-month combined total to roughly 218,200 tonnes.

Standstill to Surge

The recovery comes after cargo movement came to a complete halt in March and was further disrupted through part of April, following Iranian attacks on Bahrain and other Gulf states that forced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest figures suggest the port regained operational momentum quickly once conditions began to ease.

General cargo handled in May and June 2026 rose by approximately 198 per cent compared with the same two-month period last year, when the port recorded just 73,200 tonnes. June alone marked a near fourfold increase against June 2025's figure of around 29,000 tonnes.

The performance points to more than a simple return to normal. Port analysts say the figures reflect restored shipping confidence and a demonstration of supply chain resilience under pressure.

Khalifa Bin Salman Port serves as a critical gateway for Bahrain's trade and import supply movement. The scale and speed of its recovery underscores the port's strategic readiness — and its ability to absorb and overcome major regional disruptions.