#2 Flash update – 19/03/2026

Dear Customers, 

Below is an updated daily status report regarding the activity of the supply chain in Israel, derived from the regional security situation.

GENERAL  
As a result of the crisis, and particularly due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, we are seeing increases in international transportation costs and the imposition of surcharges across all destinations by shipping lines and airlines, for both import and export.

Ground transportation carriers in Europe and the United States have increased the fuel surcharge by 18% for road transport services, including pickups and final deliveries to customers.
Price quotations will be updated to include this surcharge starting today. (Customers billed according to older rate sheets will be charged this additional fee on top of the existing price).

Ground transportation carriers in Europe and the United States have increased the fuel surcharge by 18% for road transport services, including pickups and final deliveries to customers. Price quotations will be updated to include this surcharge starting today. (Customers billed according to older rates will be charged this additional fee on top of the existing price).

At this stage, flights to and from Israel are operated mainly by Israeli airlines – cargo capacity is very limited and transportation rates are higher than usual.
In addition, there are cooperative arrangements between international airlines and Israeli carriers, as well as the operation of charter flights, enabling an expansion of available solutions and broader connectivity to major destinations worldwide.

El Al Airlines announced that starting March 22, 2026, cargo can also be transported on passenger flights operating as part of the rescue flight program to and from Israel on routes to/from New York, to/from London, and Bangkok (import only), subject to approval by security authorities and aviation regulators. (At this stage, dangerous goods cannot be transported on these flights). Initial priority will be given to old shipments that have been stuck since the beginning of the war.
A link to El Al’s announcement is attached.

Arkia Airlines announced that starting March 22, 2026, cargo can also be transported on cargo can also be transported on passenger flights with wide‑body aircrafts (upto 1.60 M Height) operating as part of the rescue flight program to and from Israel to JFK , & from there to United Airlines’ network destinations.

The Israeli Customs Authority is operating in electronic mode.

Israel’s seaports are operating with restrictions on the handling of hazardous materials.Below is a link to the Home Front Command guidelines for handling hazardous materials, including an updated list of substances defined as posing a potential risk to the population.
Due to the situation – even for materials permitted for import according to the guidelines – the ordering process, container loading, and actual shipment are subject to final approval by the shipping companies for loading hazardous materials onto their vessels.

Land border crossings cargo – are operating in a limited format.
Due to the Eid al-Fitr holiday, some crossings are temporarily closed.
– Jordan River Crossing – closed today for cargo operations. The terminal is open for passenger traffic.
– Allenby Bridge – open today. Activity is partial, according to the list provided to customers by the terminal management.
– Aqaba Crossing – open today.
– Nitzana Crossing – closed today. On Sunday and Monday, March 22–23, 2026, the Israeli terminal will open for cargo removal from storage and maintenance work. On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the terminal will reopen for full operations.

Import to Israel
In addition to regular operations with El Al and CAL, DSV also provides ad‑hoc charter solutions as needed – as part of its suite of services during periods of high demand and operational uncertainty.
CAL Airlines is increasing fuel surcharges starting March 23, 2026 on shipments from Europe and the United States.

United States
• CAL operates daily cargo flights via direct/indirect service (Liège). There is high demand for cargo capacity due to the suspension of flights by international airlines.
Additionally, CAL operates weekly flights to Houston and Atlanta via Liège.
• ELAL is working on cargo security clearance until commercial airspace reopens for cargo on passenger flights.
• ELAL – starting March 22, 2026, cargo can also be transported on passenger rescue flights to Israel from New York, subject to approval by security and aviation authorities (dangerous goods are not permitted at this stage). Priority is given to older shipments stuck since the beginning of the war.
• United – transporting cargo to Athens, with onward connection via El Al. Athens serves as El Al’s hub for transatlantic flights to and from Israel.

Europe

• CAL operates daily freighter service on the Liège–Tel Aviv route.
• EL AL operates a 737 freighter on routes including Frankfurt, Athens, Liège, and Milan.
• ELAL starting March 22, 2026, allows gradual transport of shipments from London (excluding dangerous goods) on rescue flights to Israel.

Far East
• India/Hong Kong – CAL operates approximately three weekly flights from Mumbai, enabling connectivity to major airports in Asia.
• Shanghai – served by CAL via CGO.
• Bangkok – ELAL, starting March 22, 2026, allows gradual transport of shipments from Bangkok (excluding dangerous goods) on rescue flights to Israel.

Sea/Air alternatives
• Two sailings per week from Athens and Thessaloniki – air‑sea solutions from the U.S. and Europe.
• Air transport to Slovenia, followed by LCL container shipment to Israel.
• DHL Courier – via sea from Cyprus and air transport to Cyprus. They have also resumed air service to Tel Aviv; import pickups continue without change.
• FedEx – operating direct import flights. Dry ice shipments can be handled, but dangerous goods are still not accepted. 

Export from Israel
• Challenge/CAL announced the cancellation of the cargo flight to Cologne, Germany, which was scheduled for Friday, March 20, 2026.
• Challenge/CAL operates a 747 freighter to LGG, with onward distribution to final destinations.

– Challenge/CAL also operates a 747 freighter to JFK, with further distribution to final destinations across the United States.

• ELAL operates 737 freighter aircraft – flights for the upcoming week, until March 24, 2026, are fully booked.
• ELAL announced that starting March 22, 2026, cargo can also be transported on passenger flights operating as part of the rescue flight program to New York and London, subject to approval by security authorities and aviation regulators. (At this stage, dangerous goods cannot be transported on these flights.) Priority will initially be given to older shipments that have been stuck since the beginning of the war. Below is a link to El Al’s announcement.
• United is operating a 747 freighter to ORD, with a cargo height limitation of up to 3 meters. The flight has been postponed to Friday, March 20, 2026. From there, distribution will take place across the United States. Another flight is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
• United operates passenger aircraft from Chicago, with a cargo height limitation of up to 1.60 meters, to all network destinations of United.
• United and Silkway – a joint service operating freighter aircraft on Tuesdays and Saturdays from TLV to HHN, with direct onward flights to all Silkway destinations.
The next freighter flight (747), with a height limitation of up to 3 meters, from TLV to HHN/Frankfurt, is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, 2026.
• Air Canada – starting next week, they will operate cargo flights to Athens with El Al (height limit 1.60 meters) on Mondays and Tuesdays. From Athens, cargo will continue to Air Canada destinations in Canada, the United States, South America, and Australia.
• Arkia – starting March 22, 2026, cargo can also be transported on passenger flights operating as part of the rescue flight program, using wide‑body aircraft (with an approximate height of 1.60 meters) to JFK, and from there to United Airlines’ network destinations.Our teams at DSV remain at your service for any inquiry or request.
For additional information, please contact us at: info@il.dsv.com

DSV Israel