Several services rerouted around Africa as vessel crossings in the Strait of Hormuz are suspended
Several of the world’s major shipping lines have suspended operations in the Middle East, due to a deteriorating security situation as military conflict escalates in the region.
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company confirmed that, as a precautionary measure, it has stopped taking bookings for international cargo to the area until further notice.
“[We continue] to closely monitor developments and is working with relevant authorities to ensure the safety of its operations,” it said. ”Middle East bookings will resume as soon as the security situation improves.”
Maersk Line confirmed it had decided – in close coordination with its security partners – to pause future Trans-Suez sailings through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait for the time being.
Until further notice, it stated, all sailings on the ME11 (Middle East-India to Mediterranean) and MECL (Middle East-India to East Coast US) services will be rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope.
”The safety of our crews, vessels and customers’ cargo remains our key priority and we will continue to monitor the situation closely and take all needed actions,” Maersk said.
”We remain committed to minimising the impact on our customers’ supply chains and will continue to keep them updated on the situation.
”Once the situation stabilises and the security conditions again permit, we will continue to prioritise the Trans-Suez route for ME11 and MECL services as it is the fastest, most sustainable and most efficient way for us to serve our customers,” the group noted.
Acceptance for cargo to the Middle East area remains open, it emphasised.
“We are suspending all vessel crossings in the Strait of Hormuz until further notice,” Maersk added.
”As a result, services calling ports in the Arabian Gulf may experience delays, rerouting, or schedule adjustments.”
Elsehwhere, Hapag-Lloyd said it would suspend all vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice, calling it “a necessary response to the current conditions and regulatory restrictions”.
As a result, services calling at ports in the Arabian Gulf were expected to be delayed or rerouted, it said.
CMA CGM, meanwhile, has instructed all of its vessels in or bound for the Gulf to “proceed to shelter” with immediate effect. ”Passage through the Suez Canal has been suspended until further notice, and vessels will be rerouted via the Cape of Good Hope,” it said in a statement.
