Istanbul: Maersk, one of the world’s largest container shipping companies, has announced the temporary suspension of cargo bookings to several Gulf countries, citing escalating security concerns in the region. The move affects shipments destined for the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain, and Oman, as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East.
In a written statement issued on Wednesday, the Denmark-based shipping giant said the decision was taken following recent developments in the region after joint US and Israeli military strikes on Iran, which have significantly increased instability and security risks for commercial shipping routes.
The company emphasized that it has implemented additional operational and security measures to protect its operations. “We are taking operational measures to ensure the safety of our personnel, safeguard your cargo, and maintain service stability across affected trades in the Middle East,” the statement said.
Maersk also noted that the situation remains fluid and that it is closely monitoring regional developments while coordinating with relevant authorities and partners. The company said further updates would be provided depending on how the security situation evolves.
Earlier, on March 1, Maersk had already taken precautionary steps by suspending all ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice, a critical maritime chokepoint for global energy and cargo shipments. The suspension highlighted growing fears that the ongoing conflict could disrupt major shipping lanes and affect international trade across the Gulf region.
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