Maersk has implemented emergency service suspensions across the Middle East. Driven by rapidly evolving regional volatility, these immediate measures aim to protect personnel and cargo while maintaining overall network stability.
Maersk has drastically restricted cargo acceptance and halted new bookings across major Gulf and Levant markets.
- Commodity Restrictions: The carrier has immediately suspended the acceptance of all reefer, dangerous, and special cargo destined for the UAE, Oman, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.
- Booking Suspensions: Maersk is no longer accepting new bookings between the Indian Subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka) and Upper Gulf markets (UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Iraq, and Kuwait). For Saudi Arabia, this specific booking halt applies only to the ports of Dammam and Jubail.
The regional situation is also heavily impacting multi-modal operations and transit times across the Middle East.
- Air Freight: With multiple countries including the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Iran temporarily suspending their airspaces, shippers should expect immediate flight cancellations, rerouting, and extended lead times for Sea Air cargo volumes.
- Landside Operations: Trucking, rail, and warehousing services currently remain operational. However, shippers must prepare for severe border congestion and stricter security protocols that will likely disrupt schedules and increase transit costs.
For shipments already in transit or confirmed prior to this advisory, Maersk is reviewing bookings on a case by case basis. The carrier is actively managing these shipments and will contact affected customers directly if routing adjustments are necessary. Shippers are advised to work with their local representatives to secure alternative gateways or inland routes outside the impacted zones.