In all affected Middle East locations, our Destination Service Providers (DSPs) have suspended all on-ground services until further notice. This includes, but is not limited to: 

• Home search assistance 

• School search support 

• Settling-in services 

• Government agency visits 

All destination services team members are currently working remotely and remain fully operational for backend and virtual support, including online consultations, documentation assistance, and general advisory services. We continue to support relocating employees and clients through remote channels wherever possible. 

We are in ongoing contact with our DSP partners and will share any material developments or changes to service availability as they arise. 

Escalating military activity is disrupting air, sea, and road corridors across the Middle East. Airspace restrictions, carrier rerouting, and heightened maritime security are tightening capacity and increasing global supply chain volatility. Immediate impacts to household goods shipping and transit include the following: 

Air Freight 

• Reduced cargo capacity due to cancellations and diversions 

• Extended transit times and short-term space shortages 

Sea Freight 

• Reduced vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, with some sailings suspended or diverted 

• Expanded security zones across the Gulf region 

• Longer alternative routings impacting schedule reliability and transit times 

• Potential war-risk and insurance surcharges, plus additional costs such as fuel charges and port congestion fees 

Road Freight 

• Cross-border movements subject to increased inspections 

• Possible route adjustments based on security advisories 

These impacts could result in transit delays, rerouting of shipments, and additional costs (i.e. fuel charges, port congestion fees, etc.). 

Transit and service conditions remain fluid and may change rapidly. Clients and relocating employees may experience: 

• Continued air freight delays while restrictions remain in place 

• Extended sea freight transit times due to rerouting and increased volumes 

• Continued destination services support through remote and virtual channels, with on-the-ground services resuming only when conditions allow 

Altair will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates here on this blog. Reach out to your Altair Global representative or contact us at [email protected] with any questions.  

Our household goods insurance partner, UNIRISC, has issued an important update regarding war-risk coverage for shipments in the Middle East.

Coverage for ‘regular’ damage and/or loss that occurs during transit or in approved storage remains in place. Examples include damages that occur during transit. “War Risk” coverage will remain in place for shipments already loaded and en route. However, what’s new is that War Risk coverage will not be offered for shipments that load after 3/8/26. For example, if a rocket or gunfire were to cause damage, or if goods were to be seized by combatants, that would not be covered.

• As the situation in Iran continues to evolve, Chubb, the Underwriter of UNIRISC’s insurance policy for Altair’s household goods shipments, has decided to cancel coverage for War Risks, Strikes, Riot, and Civil Commotion for shipments going to/from or stored within the specified bodies of water, countries, and areas noted. This is similar to their stance on war risks associated with the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. This endorsement has a 48-hour notice period, meaning any shipment that loads on or after 03/08/2026 will not have War Risk coverage.
• Please note – the only coverage being cancelled is for damage related to the conflict. The rationale is that if a transferee/client wants to voluntarily ship goods in that location during a known conflict, then they must assume the risk for damage/loss caused by said conflict. Please be aware that coverage for all other risks continues. This means there is still coverage for ‘regular’ damage/loss that occurs during transit and while in approved storage, such as cracks and dents.
• Chubb has expanded the list of countries for which UNIRISC needs to gain pre-approval for any shipments, transit, or storage going to/from the following locations: Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
• Altair will obtain details and notify UNIRISC for any such shipments moving forward, including the origin city/country, destination city/country, expected load date, and approximate insured value, so UNIRISC can seek approval from Chubb for coverage well in advance of pack day.
• UNIRISC is still in discussions with Chubb on some of the nuances of this endorsement, such as how re-routed shipments will be affected, and will pass along additional information as it becomes available. 

Altair’s Move Management team will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as we receive them.