The war in Iran has suddenly complicated the delivery of Ferraris to the Gulf by closing the Strait of Hormuz. However, in Maranello, an expensive and highly targeted parade has been imagined to not upset Middle Eastern clients.
The war in Iran is not only affecting tankers and container ships. It is also shaking up the luxury car industry. The conflict has significantly disrupted traffic around the Strait of Hormuz, the gateway for ships to the Gulf. Car carriers loaded with high-end models have seen their routes closed or complicated. For brands relying on customers from Dubai, Doha, or Riyadh, the situation has changed. The region is no longer the usual royal road. While the market remains wealthy, delivering cars has become a logistical challenge.
In this context, Ferrari has been one of the most exposed manufacturers in the Middle East. On March 19, 2026, the Italian group announced a temporary suspension of most deliveries to the region. The reason cited is the war in Iran, according to Reuters. The manufacturer specified that only a small number of highly targeted deliveries are being maintained, transported by air rather than by sea. At the same time, some cars intended for the Gulf have been redirected to other markets. This strategy is aimed at protecting loyal customers and preserving accounts.
The heart of the problem lies in the strategic passage of the Strait of Hormuz. Restrictions related to the conflict have affected access for ships transporting vehicles to Gulf ports. These details were reported by the economic site ETAuto. The same media outlet states that customization accounts for about 20% of Ferrari’s automotive revenue. Car carriers departing from Europe sometimes have to extend their routes significantly or wait far from the coasts. For a niche manufacturer like Ferrari, every shipment matters as models are often sold out before production. The Middle East market is small in volume but significant in value.
Gulf clients eagerly seek these customized configurations, which are priced exorbitantly. This is one of the reasons why the brand initially paused most deliveries. Nonetheless, they have preserved some shipments by air to the region. The announcement of this suspension impacted Milan Stock Exchange, as reported by Reuters. Ferrari states that they have kept their showrooms open and arranged over 500 recent test drives in the area.
The most spectacular solution has been resorting to air freight to deliver certain pre-ordered cars. Ferrari acknowledges maintaining only a few deliveries by air, focusing on highly personalized models. According to market data cited by ETAuto, air freight between Europe and West Asia costs around $2.96 per kilo, equivalent to about 2.75 euros per kilo transported. This cost is now approximately 66% higher than before the conflict. As a result, sending a car by air is four to five times more expensive than by sea. Despite being on cars with prices in the hundreds of thousands of euros, this maneuver is manageable.
The rest of the response lies in numbers and the order book. In the first quarter of 2026, Ferrari delivered 3,436 cars, a 4.4% decrease from the previous year. However, their revenue increased to about 1.85 billion euros, with a net profit remaining close to 413 million euros. These figures are provided by AFP. The brand attributes this situation to a product range change and highlights the geographic flexibility in allocation. In essence, a car no longer destined for the Middle East can be offered elsewhere more quickly, such as to a client in Asia or America. The group boasts a full order book until the end of 2027, counting on new models like the Amalfi coupe and the upcoming electric Luce. However, a new challenge looms in the United States, where Washington aims to raise tariffs to 25%, mainly targeting high-end European cars produced in Europe, including those from Ferrari.
