Maersk Announces Suspension of the Following Route Services! Involving the Middle East, Red Sea, and Black Sea

Amid further deterioration of the US-Iran military situation and escalating regional tensions triggered by the attack on Sanaa International Airport in Yemen, the Houthis recently announced the launch of maritime military operations against Saudi Arabia, implementing so-called "blockade in response to blockade" measures. Yesterday (22 July), the Houthis issued a statement claiming to have carried out military strikes against two Saudi oil tankers. The attacked vessels were identified as the "ENCELIA" and "LAYLA," which, according to the Houthis, had violated the Red Sea shipping ban previously issued by the group. The Houthis used ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones to strike the two tankers, and claimed that the attacks caused both vessels to catch fire. The statement also said that the Houthis forced approximately 10 vessels to turn around and return that day.

Maersk Announces Suspension of Selected Red Sea–Middle East Services
On 22 July local time in Copenhagen, global shipping market bellwether Maersk issued a new customer advisory. The announcement stated that due to changing operational conditions, Maersk is suspending the following overland transport bookings: First, suspension of cargo transport from the UAE and Qatar via Jeddah Port and Omani ports; second, suspension of cargo transport from Jeddah Port to the UAE, Oman, and Qatar; third, suspension of cargo transport from Salalah and Sohar to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar.

Maersk Suspends Route Service Calling at Chornomorsk
Affected by the security situation in the current operating area, Maersk yesterday (22 July) announced the suspension of route transport services through Ukraine's Chornomorsk Port. Maersk stated that its cooperating feeder operator is currently unable to continue providing transport services to and from Ukraine via that port, and therefore the relevant route services will be suspended until further notice. In its customer advisory, Maersk indicated that this adjustment mainly involves import and export cargo transport arrangements, and the company will take measures such as port changes, rerouting, and destination adjustments based on actual circumstances to ensure customer cargo flows. On the import side, the MEDKON MIRA (voyage V.629S), which was originally scheduled to discharge at Chornomorsk Fishing Port, along with all imported cargo carried on that vessel, will be diverted to Constanța, Romania, for discharge, in accordance with Clause 20 "Events Affecting Performance" under the applicable bill of lading terms. Maersk stated that all import cargo originally destined for Chornomorsk Port that has already arrived or is expected to arrive at Port Said, Egypt, will also be uniformly redirected to Constanța, Romania, for discharge. If customers cannot accept Constanța as the alternative discharge location, they may submit a destination change request to Maersk. For subsequent overland transport arrangements from Romania to Ukraine, including transport plans, transit times, and related costs, customers need to contact Maersk's local delivery team for confirmation.

On the export side, for cargo already booked through Chornomorsk Port, Maersk offers two options: first, free cancellation of bookings, with no cancellation or modification fees charged; second, for containers already in "gate-in status," the loading port may be adjusted to Constanța, Romania, while maintaining the current ocean freight rate. Maersk reminded customers that to avoid additional modification fees and freight re‑calculation, all cancellation or modification requests must be processed through customer service representatives. Regarding overland transport arrangements from Ukraine to Romania, including transport pricing and transit times, Maersk recommends that customers contact the local team for coordination. It is understood that Maersk's suspension of route services at Chornomorsk Port is a significant move by an international shipping company to further adjust its Ukraine transport network amid the continued escalation of security risks in the Black Sea region. Previously, Russia and Ukraine had been increasing military actions against Black Sea ports and commercial vessels, with multiple merchant ships attacked, prompting shipping companies to reassess operational risks in the area.