Ports & Logistics
Abu Dhabi Quietly Eases Curb on Qatar After 20-Month Embargo

An obscure port circular may signal an easing of the almost two-year Saudi-led embargo of Qatar.
Abu Dhabi will now allow cargo to be shipped from the emirate to Qatar after banning trade in June 2017. The ports authority issued a circular on Feb. 12 that removed any mention of cargo shipments, canceling the previous order that barred goods originating from either Qatar or the United Arab Emirates from being loaded or delivered.
Qatari-flagged and owned vessels are still prohibited from docking in Abu Dhabi, the U.A.E.’s capital. Vessels from the U.A.E. “aren’t allowed to call on Qatari ports,” according to the Abu Dhabi Ports statement.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and trade links with Qatar in 2017, accusing the gas-rich country of maintaining close ties with Iran and supporting terrorism. Qatar denies both charges. The U.S. has increased pressure on Saudi Arabia to end the rift and unite the region against Iran.
Spokesmen for the governments of Qatar and Abu Dhabi, and officials at other U.A.E. ports weren’t immediately available for comment.
Qatar, one of the world’s wealthiest nations, absorbed the shock of the embargo. The boycott forced the country to shift its shipping routes to Kuwait and Oman, and buy more goods from Iran and Turkey. Yet Qatar’s economy is expanding faster than those of most of its neighbors, and its stock market was the world’s second-best performer last year.
After shoring up ties in Western capitals and spending billions on weapons, Qatar plans to retool its economy to attract foreign investment and build a financial hub for companies in Turkey, Iraq and Pakistan. It banned the import of goods from the U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia in May.
-
Banking & Finance1 month ago
Oman Arab Bank Announces Increase of Authorised Capital to RO500mn and Paid‑In Capital Boost of RO50mn
-
OER Magazines2 months ago
OER, May 2025
-
Bahrain1 month ago
SPIEF 2025 focused on global and regional economic processes, market transformation, new tech, investment climate, financial policy and people
-
Banking & Finance2 months ago
Central Bank of Oman Issues Regulatory Framework for Digital Banks
-
Banking & Finance3 weeks ago
National Finance Reinforces Position as Partner for Growth, Offers a Comprehensive Product Suite to Support Customer Ambitions
-
Insurance2 months ago
Liva Insurance Sets New Benchmark with ‘Innovative Insurer of the Year’ Award at the New Age Banking Summit 2025
-
Energy4 weeks ago
Russian Energy Week from October 15-17, 2025 offers alternative formats of cooperation
-
Banking & Finance1 month ago
The Future of the International Financial System to be discussed at SPIEF 2025
You must be logged in to post a comment Login