Figures by Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) show that amidst regional tensions, at least 10,000 cargo containers bound for Afghanistan have been stranded at Jebel Ali port in the UAE.
Khan Jan Alokozay, a board member of ACCI, told Amu TV on Monday that ships carrying Afghan commercial goods remain stuck in and around the port, leaving their status uncertain and causing significant financial losses for traders.
The containers include food, non-food items and raw materials for factories, many of which have been delayed for weeks, he said.
According to him, some shipments have already been returned to Afghanistan at high cost, while others remain stranded at sea or in port.
“Around 2,000 to 3,000 containers have been returned, each costing about $10,500,” he said. “Many others are still stuck — some on ships, some in Jebel Ali — and their fate remains unclear.”
According to the chamber, Afghan traders rerouted shipments to the UAE about 40 days ago after prolonged disruptions along traditional routes through Pakistan.
However, ongoing regional instability has further disrupted transit, leaving cargo unable to reach Afghanistan.
Economic analysts say the situation highlights Afghanistan’s vulnerability as a heavily import-dependent country.
They warn that continued instability in the region, along with strained trade relations with Pakistan, could lead to rising prices for food and fuel and further weaken the Afghan currency.
The chamber said Afghanistan relies on multiple transit routes, including Pakistan’s Karachi and Wagah crossings, as well as Iran’s Bandar Abbas and Chabahar ports and the UAE’s Jebel Ali port.
However, ongoing tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan have led to restrictions on key trade routes, forcing traders to seek alternatives that are now also affected by broader regional conflict.
Jebel Ali, one of the world’s largest and busiest ports, is a critical hub for global shipping and a key transit point for Afghanistan’s trade.
