On 25 September 2026, The Loadstar reported that spot container rates from India to the
Middle East had risen by 25–40% since the last week of August. Booking rates
from JNPA (Nhava Sheva) to Dammam were quoted as high as about US$8,500 per TEU
and US$9,500 per 40ft, up from roughly US$5,800 and US$6,800 a month earlier.
JNPA–Jeddah averaged around US$5,500 per TEU and US$7,400 per 40ft. The same
report noted that CMA CGM announced an increased emergency fuel surcharge on
Middle East trades from 1 October, citing Brent crude trading above US$100 a
barrel since early September. (The Loadstar)

The cause is the continued disruption
around the Strait of Hormuz. On 26 September, President Trump said he had
rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the strait, and container lines continue
to route Gulf cargo through workaround ports such as Salalah, Khor Fakkan,
Fujairah and Jeddah. Several of these gateways are congested, with berthing
delays rising through September. (Tradlinx, 29 Sep 2026; Maersk Middle East Operational Update 48)

As of 4 October,
Iran said the strait would not reopen until its conditions are met, while
indirect talks continue. (The National, 4 Oct 2026)

Why this matters for tile buyers in particular

Tiles are heavy and relatively low in value
per kilogram, so freight is a much larger share of landed cost than for most
manufactured goods. When a container rate moves by a few thousand dollars, your
cost per square metre moves noticeably too.

There are also two India-side factors worth
understanding.

Production has recovered, but costs are higher

Official DGCI&S data, reported by
CeramicPost, shows India’s ceramic tile exports (HS 6907) fell 38.8% in
April–June 2026, with April the low point. By June, exports were within about
10% of the previous year, though July slipped back to around −18.6%. Gas costs
in Morbi roughly doubled during the crisis, according to figures cited from a
listed manufacturer’s investor presentation. (CeramicPost, corrected 25 Sep 2026)

In practical terms, Morbi factories are
producing again, and supply is available. The challenge for buyers now is
mostly logistics and planning, not product availability.

The rupee is weak against the dollar

The rupee closed at about ₹96.30 per US
dollar on 5 October 2026, near the 96 level it crossed on 1 October, as high
oil prices and foreign fund outflows weighed on it. (The Hindu, 5 Oct 2026) For buyers paying in
USD, a weaker rupee can partly offset higher Indian input costs. It does not
cancel out freight increases, which are charged in dollars.

Practical takeaways for importers and distributors

1. Quote on FOB, but budget on landed cost

Ask your supplier for an FOB price from
Mundra or Pipavav (the closest ports to Morbi) and get your own CIF or
door-delivery estimate from your forwarder for the same week. With spot rates
moving weekly, a CIF quote that is 10 days old may already be out of date.

2. Confirm the real discharge port and final route

For Gulf destinations, the port on the
booking may not be where your container actually lands. Ask your forwarder
which workaround gateway the carrier is using (for example, Jeddah landbridge
for Riyadh and Dammam, or Fujairah/Khor Fakkan with trucking into Jebel Ali),
and how storage charges apply at each stage. Build delivery dates from the
final handover, not the ocean ETA.

3. Consolidate orders and plan in larger, fewer shipments

When each container is expensive, make
every one count. Mixing sizes and series in one container, and planning a
quarter’s needs in two or three shipments rather than many small ones, reduces
your exposure to surcharges and congestion.

4. Lock your product spec early, so production is never
the bottleneck

Delays at the port are hard to control.
Delays at the factory are not. Finalise sizes, finishes, shade and calibre
requirements, packing and pallet marking before you place the order. Then your
goods are ready the moment your forwarder secures space.

5. Build a little flexibility into contracts

Agree in advance how you and your supplier
will handle a rerouting, a change of discharge port or a sudden surcharge. A
short written understanding on validity periods, who books freight, and what
happens if a sailing is cancelled can prevent disputes later. If the strait
reopens, routes may change again at short notice, so flexibility helps in both
directions.

Looking beyond the Gulf

Buyers in other regions are not completely
insulated. Indian export freight indices rose across several lanes in
September, with North America remaining the most expensive route. (LogisticsWall LW-ICFI, Sep 2026) Importers in
Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia should apply the same discipline: compare
suppliers on FOB, get fresh freight quotes, and plan production well ahead of
the sailing window.

How Capron Export can help

Capron Vitrified is a Morbi-based
manufacturer and exporter of vitrified and ceramic tiles. In a market like
this, we focus on what we can control: clear FOB quotations, confirmed
specifications, dependable production timelines and export-ready packing and
documentation. We are happy to work with your forwarder, or to discuss shipment
planning for your upcoming orders.

Planning
a shipment for Q4 2026 or early 2027? Contact
Capron Export or message our export team on WhatsApp at +91 76220 25593. Share your destination
port, sizes and monthly volume, and we will come back with a quotation and a
realistic production schedule.