Middle East Situation: Updates and Impact on Maritime Transport
In light of the escalating tensions in the Middle East, we would like to inform you of significant disruptions occurring across global supply chains. The situation affects not only the countries directly involved in the conflict but also key maritime routes in the surrounding areas.
The dynamic nature of these events has forced ocean carriers to implement emergency security procedures. These changes translate directly into extended transit times and increased operational costs.
Our team is continuously monitoring booking statuses and shipments with the nearest ETAs. We are also tracking rerouting decisions, which may impact global equipment availability and freight rate levels.
Please find the latest notices and official carrier statements below:
Update: April 172026, 09:30
Maersk has significantly reduced operational costs by introducing free empty container returns in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and free 20′ empty pick-ups in Jebel Ali, while maintaining multimodal connections via Khor Fakkan:
Red Sea / Gulf of Aden situation | Maersk
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Update: April 09 2026, 09:30
Despite the announced ceasefire between Iran and the U.S., Maersk is maintaining its current diversion routes while launching a rail connection to Jebel Ali and implementing new pick-up and drop-off charges for empty containers in the UAE:
Red Sea / Gulf of Aden situation | Maersk
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Update: April 03 2026, 10:00
Effective April 6th, Maersk will resume reefer bookings for Salalah, Sohar, and Khor Fakkan, while immediately suspending Flex Hub and “Sales on Water” requests for Salalah due to operational constraints:
Red Sea / Gulf of Aden situation | Maersk
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Update: April 02 2026, 11:00
Effective April 6th, Maersk will resume reefer bookings for Salalah, Sohar, and Khor Fakkan, while immediately suspending Flex Hub and “Sales on Water” requests for Salalah due to operational constraints.
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Update: April 01 2026, 11:00
Hapag-Lloyd: The Port of Salalah is gradually resuming operations as of March 31st following the security incident, allowing the vessel Lisbon Express to return and ensuring the continuity of land bridge services to the Gulf:
Operational Update: Port of Salalah, Oman – Lisbon Express – Hapag-Lloyd
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Update: March 30 2026, 09:20
Maersk has resumed Reefer and Dry cargo exports from the UAE via land bridges to Salalah, Jeddah, and Sohar, while introducing free empty returns for 40′ units in Qatar and maintaining waived Drop-off charges in Saudi Arabia and Jordan:
Red Sea / Gulf of Aden situation | Maersk
Hapag-Lloyd: A drone attack on the Port of Salalah on March 28th has forced a temporary suspension of operations, leading to significant delays for multimodal land bridge shipments to Gulf countries:
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Update: March 25 2026, 10:30
COSCO SHIPPING has announced the immediate resumption of new general cargo bookins from the Far East to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Iraq, effectively lifting previous transportation suspensions in the Gulf region:
Maersk has tightened dangerous goods restrictions in Oman and Saudi Arabia, introduced a Drop-off charge for Qatar, and reiterated today’s (March 25th) final deadline for cargo-in-transit instructions under the penalty of voyage termination:
Red Sea / Gulf of Aden situation | Maersk
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Update: March 23 2026, 10:30
Effective March 23rd, CMA CGM is implementing an Inland Emergency Fuel Surcharge (IEFS) to cover the surging costs of land transportation (trucking and rail) across the Middle East supply chain:
Maersk has extended the deadline for cargo-in-transit instructions to March 25th, while implementing a global Emergency Bunker Surcharge (EBS) effective the same day and enforcing non-refundable emergency fees for shipments that have already reached the Gulf region:
Red Sea / Gulf of Aden situation | Maersk
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Update: March 19 2026, 07:30
CMA CGM implements dedicated multimodal corridors and land bridge solutions to bypass operational constraints in the Gulf, while adjusting its Asia-Europe services to ensure supply chain continuity:
view.customer.cmacgm-group.com/?vawpToken=5UQANEIQKC6UPDWYQQZE4EDDOQ.500022
Maersk has launched a comprehensive land bridge network bypassing the Strait of Hormuz via Jeddah, Salalah, and Khor Fakkan, while waiving Drop-off charges for Dammam and Jubail and reiterating the March 21st deadline for cargo-in-transit instructions:
Red Sea / Gulf of Aden situation | Maersk
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Update: March 18 2026, 11:00
Maersk has tightened restrictions and introduced an official tariff for Drop-off charges for container returns in the Gulf:
Red Sea / Gulf of Aden situation | Maersk
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Update: March 17 2026, 09:30
Maersk has allowed for the possibility of returning empty containers at Persian Gulf ports:
Hormuz Closure – Empty Return Suspension | Maersk
Hapag-Lloyd enables cross-border inland container transport within the Gulf region, provided that refundable deposits are paid and empty units are returned to the original port of discharge:
Here’s an update about container flow options in the Gulf region – Hapag-Lloyd
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Update: March 16 2026, 10:20
Maersk is partially resuming booking acceptance (including Reefer and Dangerous Goods) for the ports of Jeddah, King Abdullah, Aqaba, Sohar, and Khor Fakkan:
Red Sea / Gulf of Aden situation | Maersk
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Update: March 12 2026, 11:20
Maersk suspends most bookings to Persian Gulf countries, introduces emergency and fuel surcharges, and provides management procedures for cargo in transit:
Red Sea / Gulf of Aden situation | Maersk
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Update: March 12 2026, 08:30
CMA CGM resumes import and export services for Persian Gulf countries by completely bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. The transportation of goods (dry and reefer) is now conducted via a “land bridge” system and feeder services from secure hubs in Jeddah and Sohar, as well as corridors in Turkey and Jordan:
MSC launches connections from Asia to the Persian Gulf via land routes, utilizing the ports of Jeddah and King Abdullah as entry points to bypass the high-risk zones:
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Update: March 10 2026, 11:00
MSC officially declares “End of Voyage” for all exports from the Arabian Gulf:
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Update: March 09, 2026, 09:30
CMA CGM: Introducing an Emergency Fuel Surcharge (EFS) across all global maritime trades, effective from March 23:
Maersk: Implementing an Emergency Freight Surcharge for the Persian Gulf region and providing management procedures for cargo in transit:
Middle East Operational Update 6 – March 2026 | Maersk
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Update: March 06, 2026, 16:10
OOCL: Booking suspension and emergency procedures in the Middle East region:
OOCL – Latest situation in the Middle East – Updated 2
We have also received the following information from the carrier via email:
Cargo in transit and diversions:
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End of Voyage: Due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, shipments will not reach their original ports of destination. Voyages will be terminated at alternative discharge ports.
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Costs: In accordance with Clause 17 of the Bill of Lading, all costs resulting from diversions and discharge at contingency ports shall be for the account of the cargo owner.
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Actions: The carrier is currently evaluating the list of discharge ports. Change of Destination (COD) requests are possible – please contact your representative to discuss the details.
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Update: March 06, 2026, 09:45
Hapag-Lloyd is suspending the OGS, UG2, and UGS services until further notice. Additionally, the PKS service will operate with an adjusted rotation and will temporarily skip the port call at Jebel Ali (AEJEA):
Temporary Adjustments of our OGS, UG2, UGS and PKS Services – Hapag-Lloyd
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Update: March 05, 2026, 17:30
Maersk: Detailed restrictions by cargo type introduced. Full suspension of OOG (Out-of-Gauge) and Reefer (Refrigerated) cargo bookings to most Gulf countries, including Jordan. The Port of Salalah (Oman) remains a key transshipment hub for intercontinental routes. Exceptions for medicine and foodstuff are maintained but require individual confirmation:
Red Sea / Gulf of Aden situation | Maersk
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Update: March 05, 2026, 09:30
Hapag-Lloyd implements contingency procedures for cargo in transit and cancels planned bookings:
Middle East Operational Advisory – Contingency Measures for Selected Gulf Ports – Hapag-Lloyd
Maersk suspends services for: UAE, Oman (all ports except Salalah), Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia:
Red Sea / Gulf of Aden situation | Maersk
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Update: March 04, 2026, 10:50
Hapag-Lloyd: Suspension of bookings to and from the Upper Gulf:
Suspension of bookings to and from the Upper Gulf – Hapag-Lloyd
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Update: March 04, 2026, 09:30
MSC declares “End of Voyage” for all shipments – both those currently ashore and those at sea – destined for ports in the Arabian Gulf:
Important Notice – End of Voyage Declaration for Shipments to the Arabian Gulf | MSC
CMA CGM provides instructions for the further handling of cargo already on board and introduces an Emergency Cost Surcharge (ECS):
Maersk introduces exceptions for critical foodstuff, medicine, and other essential goods. Services to Jordan and the transport of dangerous goods to/from Israel have been suspended:
Red Sea / Gulf of Aden situation | Maersk
COSCO has suspended services to selected Middle Eastern countries:
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Update: March 03, 2026, 15:00
CMA CGM has suspended services to selected Middle East countries:
https://www.cma-cgm.com/news/5343/advisory-5-middle-east-suspension-of-all-bookings
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Update: March 03, 2026, 10:00
MSC: Suspension of Service to the Middle East
Booking Suspension for Worldwide Cargo to Middle East | MSC
CMA CGM: Implementation of Surcharges, Suspension of Reefer and Hazardous Cargo
CMA CGM | Advisory #2 – Middle East – Emergency Conflict Surcharge
CMA CGM | Advisory #3 – Middle East – Suspension of Reefer bookings
CMA CGM | Advisory #4 – Middle East – Suspension of Hazardous bookings
Hapag-Lloyd
Suspension of Reefer bookings to and from the Upper Gulf, Arabian Gulf, and Persian Gulf:
https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/services-information/news/2026/03/suspension-of-reefer-bookings-to-and-from-the-upper-gulf–arabia.html
Contingency Surcharge (CSU) between Red Sea and North Europe, Mediterranean, and North Africa:
https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/services-information/news/2026/03/shipping-between-red-sea-and-north-europe–mediterranean-sea-and.html
Impact of Security Situation on vessel movements and port operations:
https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/services-information/news/2026/03/operational-update–impact-of-security-situation-in-the-arabian-.html
Maersk: Suspension of Services, Reefer, and Hazardous Cargo
Red Sea / Gulf of Aden situation | Maersk
COSCO
COSCO SHIPPING Lines
ZIM
Israel situation update | ZIM