The world's largest container shipping lines are adjusting train schedules as the war between the US-Israel and Iran threatens to disrupt sea transport in the Persian Gulf region – a vital supply chain for dozens of major US and European manufacturers.
Some companies temporarily canceled bookings, skipped some ports, warned of delays and applied surcharges to goods transported through conflict zones.
Below are the moves of 6 major airlines as of 4 pm (London time) on Monday:
MSC
The world's No. 1 container shipping line said on Sunday that it would suspend all global cargo bookings to the Middle East "until further notice". The Geneva-based company will continue to monitor the situation and "coordinate with relevant authorities to ensure operational safety". Booking receipts will resume as security improves.
Maersk
The Copenhagen-based company said on Monday that it would temporarily suspend the transportation of frozen and dangerous goods to and from the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia until further notice. At the same time, the company also immediately suspended all new bookings between the Indian subcontinent and some Gulf countries. Previously, Maersk said it would avoid crossing the Strait of Hormuz and had stopped crossing the Red Sea. The company's stock jumped on Monday to its highest level since 2022.
CMA CGM
On Monday, the transportation company based in Marseille (France) announced the immediate suspension of booking dangerous goods to Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Yemen, Qatar, Oman, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Ain Sokhna port of Egypt, Djibouti, Sudan and Eritrea. A day earlier, CMA CGM stopped booking frozen goods in the Gulf region and stopped flights through the Suez Canal. The company applies an "urgent conflict surcharge" of 2,000 USD per 20-foot container.
Cosco
China's largest shipping line said on Sunday that ships that have entered the Gulf and completed operations there "are required to move to safe waters to wait or anchor". Ships are on their way to areas recommended for "maritime safety priority", including slowing down, moving to safe waters or waiting for further instructions at designated anchorage areas.
Hapag-Lloyd
The Hamburg (Germany)-based company, along with Maersk, stopped crossings through the Strait of Hormuz and diverted ships to avoid the Red Sea. As of Monday, Hapag-Lloyd said it "has not yet designated a replacement cargo handling port at this time" and "the delivery time may therefore be extended". The company also applies a "war risk premium" of $1,500 per 20-foot container.
Ocean Network Express (ONE)
The Singapore-based airline said on Monday that it "immediately and temporarily stops receiving new bookings for goods to and from the Persian Gulf until further notice". For goods being transported or planned, the airline said it is "carefully assessing the situation on trips".
