ISTANBUL: Global container shipping giant Maersk has temporarily suspended cargo bookings to several Gulf countries, citing security concerns amid rising regional tensions following joint US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Denmark-based company said cargo bookings to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain, and Oman had been halted temporarily as a precautionary measure.
The shipping company said it was closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East and had implemented a range of operational and security measures to ensure the safety of its staff and cargo.
“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 company said in its statement.
Maersk added that the decision was part of broader contingency planning in response to regional developments following the escalation of hostilities involving Iran.
The company had earlier announced on March 1 that it would suspend all vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice due to heightened security risks in the area.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime routes for global trade and energy shipments, and any disruption in the waterway can have far-reaching implications for shipping and international markets.